45 Ways to Live Like an Italian: Italian-Inspired Self-Care Traditions for Everyday Happiness

by Raeleen D'Agostino Mautner Ph.D.

Overview

You've heard of Danish hygge and Japan's concept of ikigai, but now learn how to relieve stress and lead a more balanced, joyful way of life using the Italian concept of la dolce vita.

When it comes to self-care, nobody does it quite like an Italian.

Italians are renowned the world over for their ability to savor simple pleasures throughout the course of an ordinary day, a concept known as la dolce vita, or the sweet life. Living a dolce vita doesn't require wealth, status, or owning a villa on the Mediterranean. It only requires you to slow your pace and enjoy the happy moments wherever you find them. And who couldn't use a little more happiness in their life?

If you have ever been to Italy, the transformative nature of the bel paese has certainly wound its way into your soul. But you don't have to visit Italy to live like an Italian or to celebrate life like an Italian.

45 Ways to Live Like an Italian will inspire you to adopt the sweetness of Italy and begin to notice the small daily details that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences, ultimately making your life richer, more enjoyable, and less stressful.

Focuses on self-care in all facets of your life, including:

• Food
• Time
• Self
• Relationships
• Beliefs
• Lifestyle

This beautifully illustrated gift book makes the perfect gift for Italophiles or anyone needing a reminder to slow down and enjoy the sweetness of life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728274331
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	12/05/2023
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	56,917
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Raeleen D'Agostino Mautner, a citizen of both Italy and the U.S., holds a PhD in psychology. An astute observer of cultural differences, she was brought up in an Italian family and travels to Italy frequently. She is a regular contributor to bilingual (English/Italian) publications and has served as the stress-reduction interventionist for a large cardiac study at Yale. She lives in New Haven, Connecticut.

Editorial Reviews

10/09/2023

Mautner follows up Living La Dolce Vita with a charming and brightly illustrated guide to “savor simple pleasures through the course of an ordinary day.” In six sections devoted to food, time, self, relationships, beliefs, and lifestyle, Mautner encourages readers to pay attention to the details (the hues of a sunset, the aroma of a “long-simmering tomato sauce that welcomes you into the kitchen like a warm hug”) that turn “ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.” She extols the virtues of the Mediterranean diet; encourages readers to “act as if you are already joyful (even if you are not feeling joy at the moment),” because “we can... impact our mood by first directing our external actions”; and highlights the value of family dinners, chitchatting with strangers, and other social interactions. Bulleted lists cheerfully distill Italian-themed insights, though sometimes the advice is less than novel (race car driver Mario Andretti’s success tips include “work hard and be motivated to win”). Still, Mautner’s upbeat tone and wise message to pause and “enjoy the happy moments wherever you find them” resonates. It’s a treat for Italophiles who want to slow down and smell the cappuccino. Illus. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

"This charming and instructive book will appeal to Italophiles everywhere." — Library Journal

From the Publisher