Author Name: Brett Blumenthal

Small changes work. I know they do because I've seen the results with many of my readers and others who've abandoned the "all at once" approach for one based on making small changes over time. The second approach: Small changes are less overwhelming, more tangible, and provide a sense of accomplishment more quickly. No matter what change one wants to make, three things remain constant: any big change requires many smaller changes; all-or-nothing or extreme approaches don't work; and small changes we can control fuel our desire for success. In my first book, The 52 Small Changes, I introduced 52 changes each week, leaving readers healthier and happier by the end of the year. My approach is holistic and addresses four dimensions of happiness: diet and nutrition, fitness and prevention, mental well-being, and eco-friendly living. As I researched this book, it became clear that I could easily incorporate an infinite number of small changes into each of these categories. As I thought more deeply about the topic of change I wanted to address next, I personally felt comfortable with the mental well-being category as one to pay attention to. For many, maintaining their mental health is as difficult as maintaining their physical health. Understanding diets and nutrition, or engaging in a consistent exercise regimen, seems more like a case of: you're either eating healthy or you're not, you're exercising or you're not. Furthermore, when you're not well, the symptoms are unmistakable; we gain weight, lose energy, struggle with mundane daily tasks, or feel sluggish. Mental health, on the other hand, is full of uncertainties. For starters, many of us don't look at the big picture when it comes to our mental well-being, tending to focus on just one aspect: our happiness. While good mental health undoubtedly means feeling happy and fulfilled, it also means being able to handle stress, have a positive outlook on life, and be able to focus when needed, thus being productive and getting things done with ease. Some of us would even assert that a happy, healthy mind is the most important aspect of our overall health. This book takes the approach of making small changes over the course of a year and applies them to improve mental well-being. As in my previous book, the changes described will be comprehensive and address many of the essential aspects of achieving desired mental health: stress reduction, focus and productivity, memory and anti-aging, and, of course, overall happiness and a sense of accomplishment. Over the course of 52 years, I hope you find the changes enjoyable and easy to implement, and that you enjoy the entire process; but what's the goal? By the end of the year, you should be able to control your stress, be more productive, remember more, protect yourself from disease and aging, and feel happier and more fulfilled.