How to Be Less Miserable

End the Negative Mind Loops and Find Joy

By: Lybi Ma

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

In How to Be Less Miserable, Lybi Ma, the executive editor of Psychology Today, provides strategies that challenge negative thinking and inspire a more positive mindset.

As human beings, we are all predisposed to a negative mindset. This tendency is a byproduct of the evolution of our species. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors had to stay vigilant at all times—what if a man-eating predator was lurking in their midst? It was more important to be aware of potential danger than to find food. It’s part of our genetic code, and we’ve carried this innate predisposition that something bad is about to happen to us into the twenty-first century. Even the most optimistic among us aren’t immune.

How to Be Less Miserable offers current research on the human brain’s tendency toward negative thinking, why we do it, why it’s so hard to stop doing it, and how we can use evidence-based methods to overcome the patterns that lead to anxiety, depression, and more. The author covers a wide range of topics, including:

• healthy ways to pursue happiness
• how to overcome stress and anxiety
• tools for dealing with emotions
• building resiliency and mental flexibility
• the importance of social groups
• the perils of social media
• personal growth and the pursuit of passions
• being kind and true to yourself

The strategies found in this book are based in large part on wisdom from the experts and researchers Lybi Ma has worked with throughout her career. They provide helpful and meaningful ways to manage and overcome negative thinking. Ultimately, How to Be Less Miserable is for anyone searching for a different way to think about emotional and mental health.

©2025 Lybia Ma (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Personal Reflections Make This Book Memorable

I really enjoyed How to Be Less Miserable by Lybi Ma. The book combines practical, research-backed strategies with personal stories that make the lessons feel relatable and grounded. Her reflections and real-life examples brought the concepts to life, and I found myself reflecting on my own thinking patterns. Highly recommend for anyone looking to break negative mind loops and find more joy in everyday life.