For countless people, the current situation of their own world and the world as a whole is extremely challenging. With so many people overwhelmed, it’s not so surprising to dive deeper into ways to dive deeper to enhance one’s happiness. However, cutting-edge science shows that there are many benefits to extending self-care to your own community. Recent books address this, your brain on altruism: The power of connections and community in times of crisis by health and science journalist Nicole Carlis.
Karlis said, “We delve into the science behind the benefits of nurturing generosity and the care culture of our health. She explores research into the sociology and psychology of altruism, revealing the acts of kindness in the midst of a crisis. Here’s what she had to say about the many ways in which we can all contribute to fostering kindness in helping ourselves and others by building a community of compassion.
Marc Bekoff: Why did you write your brain with altruism?
Nicole Carlis: During the 2017 Napa wildfires, I was impressed by people who were not directly affected, like those who lost their homes or lived in Napa, and those who wanted to help and donate by natural disasters. And I realized that it was a trend amid a similar crisis. Shortly after that, people wanted to put the difference aside and help each other. And I realized it helped not only their community but also their own. It made me think more about “self-care” and how to heal myself during difficult times. I wondered if there are health benefits to volunteering. I began to come across some fascinating research. I wrote an article about the Wells section of the New York Times and realized that it was just damaging the surface. I continued researching and interviewing scientists and researchers, and ultimately thought that there might be enough material for the book.
MB: How does your book relate to your background and the general areas of interest?
NK: I am a health and science reporter and have been writing about wellness movements and health trends for nearly a decade. I was particularly interested in how people are drawn to alternative health trends. I think that’s for a variety of reasons. For example, the multi-billion-dollar wellness industry is booming as the US healthcare system is not investing much in preventive healthcare. I’m always thinking about the different ways people can improve their health. This also affects the health of our society.
MB: Who do you want to reach?
NK: I hope people see “self-care” differently. It has the health benefits that scientists are studying today, that sometimes self-care is another care and contributes to the greater benefits of your community. I also hope that people will find hope in this book. Many people do an incredible job of me creating a caring culture in various industries in my books. I think that’s something to remember in these difficult times.
MB: What are some of the topics you consider and some of your main messages?
NK: The book begins by exploring a sociological phenomenon called “boundary solidarity,” which is when people gather after some crisis like a natural disaster. In what is called “normal life,” they set aside differences and volunteered in the community to help each other and volunteer in the community. This phenomenon is so deeply and effective that some people may even miss out on the connections and solidarity they felt after years of the crisis. It is also very natural and part of why humans survived so long. Research has even shown that rhesus monkeys do this.
I was curious as to why this happened again and again, but it eventually faded. Why couldn’t this change continue to people’s normal lives? Or maybe it could be something that could be cultivated without a disaster? This led to an investigation into the science and health benefits of altruism. But I didn’t want to have a strong, simple science-based discussion of why the book should volunteer in the community. I know that in America there is caregiver burnout. I knew it wasn’t that clear early on in the answer to the question I was looking for. The book also examines what prevents people from being kind in volunteering and in their community. We also explore the current desire to prioritize a culture of compassion, from family doctors who regulate volunteering to pediatricians who host “festivals of kindness” for children.
MB: How does your job differ from other jobs that relate to some of the same general topics?
NK: I’m closer to the subject from a journalist perspective, not a scientist. My book focuses not only on scientific research, but also on people’s stories.
MB: As people learn more about the importance of fostering a culture of compassion, do they expect to do more to make this happen?
NK: Yes. It’s mostly for those who are already working to make this happen. I was particularly impressed by Elizabeth Markle’s project in Auckland, an open source wellness company. She is trying to inspire and make “wellness” accessible to everyone. Altruism is not specifically prescribed at her centre, but the environment she created in places where people feel inevitably promote a caring culture. When people are safe and cared for, they inevitably want to do the same for their community.
