Close Modal

Blue Zones of Happiness, The

Lessons From the World's Happiest People

Look inside
New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner reveals the surprising secrets of what makes the world's happiest places—and shows you how to apply these lessons to your own life.
     In this inspiring guide, you’ll find game-changing tools drawn from global research and expert insights for achieving maximum fulfillment. Along the way, you'll:
 • Discover the three strands of happiness—pleasure, purpose, and pride—that feature prominently in the world's happiest places.
 • Take the specially designed Blue Zones Happiness Test to pinpoint areas in your life where you could cultivate greater joy, deeper meaning, and increased satisfaction.
 • Meet the world's Happiness All-Stars: inspiring individuals from Denmark to the United States who reveal dynamic, practical ways to improve day-to-day living.
 • Discover specific, science-based strategies for setting up a “life radius” of community, work, home, and self to create healthier, happiness-boosting habits for the long-term.
"Filled with realistic, constructive information, this book is a useful manual for individuals and communities to take the initiative toward happier, healthier lives."
-Publishers Weekly

"Author Dan Buettner reveals the world’s happiest places and explains environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to the overall happiness in these geographic regions." –The Washington Post

“Start taking some tips from New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner, who has spent the last 15 years studying the people around the world who are living the healthiest and happiest lives, and discovering what the rest of us can learn from them.” –Huffington Post

“Few people bring the unique perspective…like Dan Buettner…he travels the world in search of the healthiest people and distills their lessons…translating existential philosophy into practical information for limited-attention-span U.S. readers.” –The Atlantic

“National Geographic worked with Gallup and author Dan Buettner, whose career has focused on exploring parts of the world where people live long, happy lives, to identify and rank these cities.”
Travel & Leisure

"National Geographic, Gallup and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner have announced the ranking of the 25 happiest cities in the United States." –Forbes

“[Buettner’s] latest work looks at some of the world’s happiest places, including Costa Rica and Singapore, and helps glean some insight from people who hail from those happy locales.”
 –Parade 

"I am compelled to make changes in my own life and I am grateful to have this tool to
help guide me to creating goals that will facilitate positive growth in the world I see."
--goodkarmakate
 
“…a great book…many eye opening moments…” –Kimleonia  
 
“I blew through this book, highlighting a LOT along the way. It left me pumped to start assessing the areas in my life where I can start implementing these practices and fired up to get more involved in my local community!” –mrsknitfit
 
“The book was insightful and caused me to rethink some of my choices. (In a good way.) 
Dan’s look at various cultures’ road to happiness has broadened my thinking and allowed me to explore the world from my comfy seat on the couch.” –theminickadventures
 
“In Malcolm Gladwell fashion, Buettner takes a stab at deconstructing a broad social concept, in this case, happiness, backing it up with tangible research, evidence, your own self-assessment and implementable strategies for exactly that: finding a greater happy.” –Good and Grateful 
 
“It’s a scientific approach to the subject, with concrete numbers and straight forward advice on how to nudge yourself into living a lifestyle that will ultimately make you happier.”
–Thistle & Fig 
 
“Dan has literally traveled the globe in the pursuit of happiness. He’s talked to lots of happy folks. And he’s discovered a thing or two about what all these deliciously joyful people have in common...We are living in what may very well be one of the most dissatisfied periods in American history. But there is hope for happiness out there, and Dan shows us where to find it with intelligence, candor and lots of compassion.” –Jathan & Heather
 
“Such an awesome read! You know those books that you buy and read within the span of a few days because it is just that good?!??! Well that was the case with The Blue Zones of Happiness by Dan Buettner” --anxietycoachleigha
DAN BUETTNER is the founder of Blue Zones, an organization that helps Americans live longer, healthier lives. His groundbreaking work on longevity led to his 2005 National Geographic cover story "Secrets of Living Longer" and two national bestsellers, The Blue Zones and Thrive. He lives in Minneapolis, MN. Visit him on Facebook and Twitter, and at his website bluezones.com.

About

New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner reveals the surprising secrets of what makes the world's happiest places—and shows you how to apply these lessons to your own life.
     In this inspiring guide, you’ll find game-changing tools drawn from global research and expert insights for achieving maximum fulfillment. Along the way, you'll:
 • Discover the three strands of happiness—pleasure, purpose, and pride—that feature prominently in the world's happiest places.
 • Take the specially designed Blue Zones Happiness Test to pinpoint areas in your life where you could cultivate greater joy, deeper meaning, and increased satisfaction.
 • Meet the world's Happiness All-Stars: inspiring individuals from Denmark to the United States who reveal dynamic, practical ways to improve day-to-day living.
 • Discover specific, science-based strategies for setting up a “life radius” of community, work, home, and self to create healthier, happiness-boosting habits for the long-term.

Praise

"Filled with realistic, constructive information, this book is a useful manual for individuals and communities to take the initiative toward happier, healthier lives."
-Publishers Weekly

"Author Dan Buettner reveals the world’s happiest places and explains environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to the overall happiness in these geographic regions." –The Washington Post

“Start taking some tips from New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner, who has spent the last 15 years studying the people around the world who are living the healthiest and happiest lives, and discovering what the rest of us can learn from them.” –Huffington Post

“Few people bring the unique perspective…like Dan Buettner…he travels the world in search of the healthiest people and distills their lessons…translating existential philosophy into practical information for limited-attention-span U.S. readers.” –The Atlantic

“National Geographic worked with Gallup and author Dan Buettner, whose career has focused on exploring parts of the world where people live long, happy lives, to identify and rank these cities.”
Travel & Leisure

"National Geographic, Gallup and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner have announced the ranking of the 25 happiest cities in the United States." –Forbes

“[Buettner’s] latest work looks at some of the world’s happiest places, including Costa Rica and Singapore, and helps glean some insight from people who hail from those happy locales.”
 –Parade 

"I am compelled to make changes in my own life and I am grateful to have this tool to
help guide me to creating goals that will facilitate positive growth in the world I see."
--goodkarmakate
 
“…a great book…many eye opening moments…” –Kimleonia  
 
“I blew through this book, highlighting a LOT along the way. It left me pumped to start assessing the areas in my life where I can start implementing these practices and fired up to get more involved in my local community!” –mrsknitfit
 
“The book was insightful and caused me to rethink some of my choices. (In a good way.) 
Dan’s look at various cultures’ road to happiness has broadened my thinking and allowed me to explore the world from my comfy seat on the couch.” –theminickadventures
 
“In Malcolm Gladwell fashion, Buettner takes a stab at deconstructing a broad social concept, in this case, happiness, backing it up with tangible research, evidence, your own self-assessment and implementable strategies for exactly that: finding a greater happy.” –Good and Grateful 
 
“It’s a scientific approach to the subject, with concrete numbers and straight forward advice on how to nudge yourself into living a lifestyle that will ultimately make you happier.”
–Thistle & Fig 
 
“Dan has literally traveled the globe in the pursuit of happiness. He’s talked to lots of happy folks. And he’s discovered a thing or two about what all these deliciously joyful people have in common...We are living in what may very well be one of the most dissatisfied periods in American history. But there is hope for happiness out there, and Dan shows us where to find it with intelligence, candor and lots of compassion.” –Jathan & Heather
 
“Such an awesome read! You know those books that you buy and read within the span of a few days because it is just that good?!??! Well that was the case with The Blue Zones of Happiness by Dan Buettner” --anxietycoachleigha

Author

DAN BUETTNER is the founder of Blue Zones, an organization that helps Americans live longer, healthier lives. His groundbreaking work on longevity led to his 2005 National Geographic cover story "Secrets of Living Longer" and two national bestsellers, The Blue Zones and Thrive. He lives in Minneapolis, MN. Visit him on Facebook and Twitter, and at his website bluezones.com.

Unlock the Secrets of the Blue Zones

Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones has aired its first episode on Netflix! Learn about five places in the world where people have unlocked the secret to happiness and longevity. Join Nat Geo author Dan Buettner as he explores these “blue zones” where food, community, and lifestyle have created a population of people living

Read more