The Biology of Kindness: Six Daily Choices for Health, Well-Being, and Longevity
by Immaculata De Vivo and Daniel Lumera
If you follow positive psychology, you’ll know that happiness is good for your health and leads to a longer life. You may also know that people who are compassionate and serve others tend to be happier than those who focus mainly on themselves. This book goes deeper into the scientific reasons why, showing how our attitudes and behaviours directly influence our physical health. The length of our telomeres, which protect our DNA, is a prime indicator of health and longevity. The ageing effect on telomeres is slowed down by kindness, forgiveness, gratitude and optimism. We know that exercise and good nutrition are good for the body, but it turns out so are positive relationships, meditation, music and connection with nature. This is solid scientific evidence for what we instinctively suspect. Recommended for those who like to know the how and why of things.
