iPhone App: Live Happy

September 9th, 2009

= 4 stars

Health and fitness iPhone app that with regular use, should help you achieve happiness. Based on the research of psychology professor Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of the book The How Of Happiness.

The Good

• The happiness activities contained within the app were developed through scientific research. Up to 40% of our happiness is within our control, and less relies on a genetic set point or circumstance than one might think. Various activities have been shown to increase happiness: setting / achieving long term goals, remembering / replaying happy life events, visualizing your best possible self, expressing gratitude by giving thanks or keeping a journal, and participating in social activities. My analytical side appreciates this methodical, clear approach to seeking happiness much more than nebulous positive affirmations or popping a pill and expecting instant results.
• Personality survey: My key traits are “reserved” and “solitary” (right on the button). The app also identified affinity for long-term goals broken down into steps, and there’s a task just for this mindset. Under “Strive” you can list goals, and set up “baby steps” toward achieving them. These steps appear as text on a sticky note, which can be satisfyingly trashed.
• Another survey measures which activities are most likely to make you happy — you don’t have to do activities that make you uncomfortable. My “solitary” leanings means the “social” activities are lower priority. Kudos to the app for recognizing this.
• Video content featuring Dr. Lyubomirsky explaining her research, and explanations of the application’s tasks.
• An “ask” section where you can send questions directly to the doctor. Answers appear in the app. Merely reading others’ queries and responses proves enlightening.
• The iPhone’s inherent portability serves as a constant reminder of future success and makes tracking progress convenient.

The Bad

• Not a magic pill: you won’t become instantly happy after tapping a few buttons. True happiness requires some regular work and effort — the program merely provides the framework.
• Could use extra polish: Navigation was initially confusing, buttons for surveys don’t change when tapped, and amateurish graphics (reliance on stock photography, a simplistic happy face, and the “savoring album” looks rather “scrapbooky”).
• Probably more successful used in conjunction with the associated book.

Conclusion

I admit to skepticism when first firing up Live Happy, but was pleased to find it based on scientific research and containing a depth not evident on first glance. After a mere week, I already feel its suggestions would set one on the road to happiness.

I’ll also offer that one task on my to do list is to pick up the associated book (there’s also a Kindle version — perfectly suited for the iPhone Kindle app), and another was writing this review. One down, one more to go. Wow, I feel better already.

iTunes App Store Link:

(This review requested by developer)