Table of Contents
Acknowledgements vi
Introduction 1
Part 1 The Mind-Body Connection and its Longevity Consequences
1 Is Death Optional?
Immortal Animals, Zombie-Killing Pills, and Super-Centenarians 13
2 How Your Mind Talks With Your Body
Mortgage Worries, Stress-Resistant Nazis, and a Few Trillion Microbes 34
3 A Sniff of Love
How Social Hormones Influence Our Relationships and Longevity 57
Part 2 How Your Relationships and Your Mind Can Prolong Your Life
4 Ditch Goji Berries
Why Many Diet and Exercise Interventions Matter Less than You Think 79
5 The Gnawing Parasite of Loneliness
Why Feeling All Alone May Shorten Your Life 102
6 Friends with (Longevity) Benefits
How Marriage and Friendships Prolong Life 122
7 Chameleons Live Long
Empathy, Attachment, and Social Grooming 145
8 Helping Others Helps Your Health
Superheroes, UNICEF, and Random Kindness 165
9 Why Personality and Emotions Matter for Longevity
Don't Worry, Be Happy-and Organize Your Sock Drawer 187
10 How Meditation and Mindfulness Boost Health
Slow Breathing, Yoga Rats, and Horror-Stricken Leukocytes 206
11 Longevity Lessons from Japan
Ikigai, Cherry Blossoms, and Working Till You Drop 227
Epilogue 247
Notes 250
Index 286