Q&A with Nicole Karlis, author of "Your Brain on Altruism"
In an era when "self-care" often revolves around consumption and profit, health and science journalist Nicole Karlis 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, author Nicole Karlis delves into the science behind generosity and the benefits of fostering a culture of care for our health.
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.
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It feels like your book could be written at any point and feel timely. Was there an event/issue that inspired you to research and write this book?
During the Napa wildfires in 2017, I was really moved by how people who weren’t directly affected, as in lost a home or lived in Napa, by the natural disaster wanted to help and donate. And I noticed it was a trend among similar crises. Immediately after, people put aside their differences and wanted to help each other, and I noticed that not only did it help their community but also the themselves. It got me thinking more about “self-care” and how we try to heal ourselves in difficult times. I wondered if there were any health benefits to volunteering. I started to come across some fascinating research. I wrote an article for the Wellness section in the New York Times, but realized I had only scratched the surface. I kept investigating and interviewing scientists and various researchers and eventually thought I might have enough material for a book.
How did you go about your research for the book? How did you find these stories and people to explore?
I started by looking at published studies on volunteering and longevity and health outcomes. Research shows that those who volunteer later in life live longer and have fewer hospital visits. But as one researcher told me several years ago, it was a chicken and egg situation. Was it because volunteering attracted healthier people, or did it make people healthier as they age? That same researcher told me it’s the latter when I circled back with him for a later interview for my book. But by really starting to sift through the published research, I was able to connect with scientists leading this research and it led me to more and more people who are studying the science of altruism.
The stories you tell and the people you interview in the book are all very inspiring. Was there any one story or person(s) that you were particularly moved by?
I was especially moved by Elizabeth Markle’s project in Oakland, Open Source Wellness. She’s incredibly inspiring and truly trying to make “wellness” accessible to everyone. While altruism isn’t specifically something that’s prescribed at her center, the environment she’s created, where people feel safe and cared for, inevitably fosters a culture of caring. I think it’s an example of how we can create a culture of caring in our own society.
Over the past decade, there have been multiple natural disasters, a pandemic, and dividing administrations in the US. In the face of all these issues, what do you hope readers take away from your book?
My hope is that people see “self-care” differently. That sometimes self-care is other care, and that contributing to the greater good of your community has health benefits. I also hope people find hope in this book. There are many people doing amazing work to create a culture of caring in various industries and I think that’s something to remember in these difficult times.