By Carol Smith

Andrew Weil has been known as a holistic or integrated health guru for quite some time. His primary focus through numerous books has been concerned with a healthy body. He has contended diet and mental health are interrelated. In his new book Spontaneous Happiness, Weil applies his integrated approach to mental health.

The CDC reports that one in 10 Americans take antidepressants. The number of people taking antidepressants has risen over 400 percent since 1988.

Much as he proposes for good physical health, Dr. Weil believes a healthy anti-inflammatory diet and exercise can positively affect mental health. He is also an advocate for meditation.

In addition to practical advice to improve mental health, Dr. Weil believes we need to change our attitudes about happiness. Far too many people think happiness is based on something to be obtained out there. The prevailing thinking is once we get the house, husband, children or promotion our life will be happy. Being truly happy isn’t based on externals, according Weil. When we get what we want, there is often a brief period of euphoria followed by disappointed because the feeling of happiness isn’t sustained.

Research indicates the more people have, the less happy they appear to be. Ironically, there is a correlation between depression and affluence. Depression is prevalent in the developed world, but unheard of in traditional hunter/gather societies.

Dr. Weil suggests people rethink the concept of happiness. Instead of the searching to obtain a state of happiness, Weil proposes striving for contentment instead. Contentment is something that comes from within and isn’t dependent on external situations.

Finally, Dr. Weil believes sadness is a part of being human. There is often a quick rush to ‘cure pain’ with a normal aspect of the human condition.