The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris Summary
Escape the paradox where chasing happiness makes you miserable. With over 1 million copies sold, this revolutionary guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy asks: What if everything you know about happiness is wrong? Discover why mental health professionals worldwide recommend this life-changing approach.
About the author
Dr. Russ Harris, bestselling author of *The Happiness Trap* and a leading expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), combines his medical background as a physician with psychotherapy to address modern mental health challenges. A British-born Australian psychotherapist, Harris transitioned from general practice to pioneering ACT, a mindfulness-based approach helping individuals build psychological flexibility. His work focuses on themes of emotional resilience, values-driven living, and breaking free from unhelpful thought patterns—concepts central to *The Happiness Trap*, a self-help classic translated into 30+ languages. Harris has trained over 80,000 professionals through his workshops and authored nine books, including *ACT Made Simple* for clinicians and *The Confidence Gap* for personal growth. His protocol for the World Health Organization, used in refugee camps, significantly reduced PTSD and depression in clinical trials. Regularly featured on mental health podcasts like *The OCD Stories*, Harris blends scientific rigor with accessible strategies. *The Happiness Trap* has sold over one million copies worldwide, cementing its status as a global resource for overcoming stress and cultivating fulfillment.
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16"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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