A WATERSTONES BEST POPULAR SCIENCE BOOK OF 2024

In the 1960s, scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, began exploring the key factors that affect health and long life. Their findings, known as the "Alameda 7," include: not smoking, drinking in moderation, sleeping seven to eight hours a night, exercising, eating regular meals, maintaining a normal weight, and eating breakfast. Years later, however, the same team discovered an eighth factor, which proved to be more important than all the others: social connection.

When we form meaningful bonds with others, our wounds heal faster, we overcome infections more quickly, and our blood pressure decreases. We are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s, heart attacks, or strokes. When people feel they have strong social support, they do better on tests of focus, memory, and problem-solving. Greater connection can boost creativity, increase financial stability, and improve productivity at work. However, making friends can also be challenging.

In The Laws of Connection, David Robson does two important things: he explains the fascinating science behind the effects of social connection and analyzes research showing that we are all better at being social than we might think. We encounter concepts such as the "liking gap" and the "gratitude gap," learn to recognize "frenemies," and discover a powerful conversational strategy known as the "fast-friends procedure" that promotes instant connection. Being social doesn't mean we have to have dozens of friends; it can also mean having a true, deep connection with one other person. As Robson shows, we can all benefit from the laws of connection.

Pages: 320, Dimensions: 15.2x15.2cm