Overview

"The science is in- being good is actually good for you. In this bracingly original book, The Biology of Kindness-the first in a trilogy on the topic of daily wellness-the science of mindfulness and the findings of biology come together to show how kindness and optimism improve overall well-being in profound, organic, and demonstrable ways. Daniel Lumera, an expert in meditation and mindfulness, and Immaculata De Vivo, a preeminent researcher in molecular epidemiology, outline a revolutionary approach to health, longevity, and quality of life-and explain the scientific evidence that supports their work. Identifying five fundamental values-kindness, optimism, forgiveness, gratitude, and happiness-and describing six essential strategies for cultivating these values-relationships, nutrition, physical activity, meditation, music, and connection with nature-De Vivo and Lumera chart a practical course for pursuing a long, healthy, and happy life. Along the way they provide the scientific data that reveal the impact such behavior has on biology, particularly on telomeres, the parts of DNA that serve as biomarkers of aging. While DNA is mostly immutable, telomeres are influenced by our choices, and The Biology of Kindness offers incontrovertible evidence that what is commonly ascribed to ""spiritual"" well-being has a clear and direct impact on physical health, helping to buffer premature aging and decrease the incidence of chronic disease. At a time when life seems to be ruled by a desire to get ""everything and immediately,"" Lumera observes, there is a compelling case to be made for the discipline of devotion, dedication, and passion-for the good of the body as well as the soul. How kindness-and other prosocial behaviors toward others-can help us live longer and healthier lives. The science is in- being good is actually good for you. In this bracingly original book, The Biology of Kindness-the first in a trilogy on the topic of daily wellness-the science of mindfulness and the findings of biology come together to show how kindness and optimism improve overall well-being in profound, organic, and demonstrable ways. Daniel Lumera, an expert in meditation and mindfulness, and Immaculata De Vivo, a preeminent researcher in molecular epidemiology, outline a revolutionary approach to health, longevity, and quality of life-and explain the scientific evidence that supports their work. Identifying five fundamental values-kindness, optimism, forgiveness, gratitude, and happiness-and describing six essential strategies for cultivating these values-relationships, nutrition, physical activity, meditation, music, and connection with nature-De Vivo and Lumera chart a practical course for pursuing a long, healthy, and happy life. Along the way they provide the scientific data that reveal the impact such behavior has on biology, particularly on telomeres, the parts of DNA that serve as biomarkers of aging. While DNA is mostly immutable, telomeres are influenced by our choices, and The Biology of Kindness offers incontrovertible evidence that what is commonly ascribed to ""spiritual"" well-being has a clear and direct impact on physical health, helping to buffer premature aging and decrease the incidence of chronic disease. At a time when life seems to be ruled by a desire to get ""everything and immediately,"" Lumera observes, there is a compelling case to be made for the discipline of devotion, dedication, and passion-for the good of the body as well as the soul."

Full Product Details

Author:   Immaculata De Vivo ,  Daniel Lumera ,  Fabio De Vivo
Publisher:   MIT Press Ltd
Imprint:   MIT Press
Weight:   0.369kg
ISBN:  

9780262547659

ISBN 10:   0262547651
Pages:   264
Publication Date:   19 March 2024
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

CONTENTS TO THE READER xi PREFACE xiii I ATTRIBUTES 1 1 KINDNESS 3 2 TELOMERES 13 3 OPTIMISM 33 4 FORGIVENESS AND GRATITUDE 43 5 THE SCIENCE OF FORGIVENESS AND GRATITUDE 59 6 HAPPINESS 67 7 THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS 85 II INSTRUMENTS 91 8 THE QUALITY OF RELATIONSHIPS 93 9 THE SCIENCE OF RELATIONSHIPS 105 10 NUTRITION: HEALTH COMES WITH EATING 115 11 ON THE WAY TO WELL-BEING 127 12 THE POWER OF THE MIND 135 13 MEDITATE, PEOPLE, MEDITATE 155 14 THE SCIENCE OF MEDITATION 169 15 MUSIC AND SOUND: HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND LONGEVITY 177 16 THE SCIENCE OF MUSIC 189 17 NATURE HEALS 197 18 NATURE AND WELL-BEING 215 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 219 BIBLIOGRAPHY 221

Reviews

“The overarching message of this earnest book still holds good.” —New Scientist

Author Information

Immaculata De Vivo is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. Her research focuses on how genetic variants interact with the environment to influence susceptibility to hormonal cancers, especially endometrial cancer. Daniel Lumera is a naturalist biologist, an expert in the sciences of well-being and quality of life and a former monk for 11 years who studied with Anthony Elenjimittam, a direct disciple of Gandhi.

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