Self-help in America is big business -- an $11B business a year, in fact. It's the same size as Nordstroms, Whole Foods or Black & Decker.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be working. According to the 2013 Happiness Index, the United States is ranked #17. Not bad. But, our less wealthy neighbors, Canada and Mexico, appear to be happier.
Why has America gone "gangbusters" over self-help?
Well, I think it comes from our emphasis on the individual and democracy. We've developed legends around the "self-made rags to riches" hero, which coincidentally shames those who have not achieved success in our "equal society" (see more here & here).
This status anxiety has led to two popular types of self-help:
1. How to be rich and powerful just like me (not me, Tamara... me, the hypothetical author)
2. Oh, you're not rich and powerful and loved? You must have low self-esteem. I can help.
Rather than see a professional, Americans typically prefer to try to solve their problems on their own or find a "silver bullet." In fact, 10% of Americans are on anti-depressants, but most do not see a therapist. Rather than taking time to develop happiness-inducing habits, we prefer to believe the snake oil of Joel Osteen, Suze Orman or Anthony Robbins
Like Alain de Botton says, "People are so proud to go the gym; so ashamed to go to the therapist."
Based on my Coursera class, Social Psychology by Scott Plous, there seems to be a few proven ways to improve happiness.
