In an era when "self-care" often revolves around consumption and profit, a health and science journalist emphasizes the genuine health advantages of a culture of caring.
Helping others can enhance our physical and mental well-being, boost resilience, and nurture a sense of fulfillment and connection beyond crises. In Your Brain on Altruism, health and science journalist Nicole Karlis delves into the science behind generosity and the benefits of fostering a culture of care for our health. She explores cutting-edge research on the sociology and psychology of altruism, revealing how acts of kindness during crises—such as COVID-19, natural disasters, and wars—inspire people to set aside differences and help one another.
Through interviews with innovators creating infrastructures for social connection—from a former entrepreneur leading a social prescribing movement, to doctors prescribing volunteer work and acts of kindness—Karlis shows how we all can contribute to cultivating kindness. A powerful call for a culture of caring, this book urges us to see taking care of one another as a social strength. By embracing this mindset and viewing ourselves as stewards of kindness, we can combat the epidemic of loneliness and build a more compassionate and resilient society.
Nicole Karlis is a health and science journalist. Her work has been published in Salon, The New York Times, Marie Claire, and The Bold Italic.
"A powerful dive into how acts of kindness can ignite your brain, boost happiness, and transform both your life and the world around you. Nicole Karlis brilliantly explores the science behind selflessness, revealing how altruism and empathy shape our minds, well-being, and society. Discover the pathways that light up when we put others first—and how this benefits us all!"—Michael Amster, physician and coauthor of The Power of Awe
"We all know society would benefit from more compassion, but Karlis shows us the innumerable exciting, surprising, and inspiring ways that growing altruistic habits helps us be happier and healthier individuals. Your Brain on Altruism is exhaustively researched and beautifully written and should be required reading for everyone."—Jaimal Yogis, author of The Fear Project: What Our Most Primal Emotion Taught Me about Survival, Success, Surfing … and Love
238 pp.5.5 x 8.5
9780520397606$24.95|£21.00Paper
Mar 2025