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With a calm tone as vibrant, the conversation with Jonathan benito It is a positive energy chute that is transformative. This recognized neuroscientist, professor and researcher at the Autonomous University of Madridnow comes with the Book entitled “The Power of Amability” (Editorial Planeta)a work in which he explains how neuroscience helps improve relationships, attract good and live more and better.

In a society as competitive and individualized as the current one, is a book that reminds us of the power of kindness necessary?

Yes. We live in a world in which, in general, we are friendly and take care of others, but we are flooded by arisco behaviors and a certain egocentrism based on individuality. That is why this book is a claim that there is another alternative that also generates a lot of well -being.

Is being friendly better?

Without a doubt, because it has been shown that it is not the strongest or the most intelligent who survive in a hostile environment. Amability is a much more effective and powerful strategy than any other and it has been seen that people who practice it have less diseases and live more.

How does it impact our health?

Being friendly provides greater emotional well -being and that also translates at the physical level. When someone is more unfriendly or acting aggressively, with hostile attitudes, it generates tense stress situations, and that stress maintained over time is synonymous with cortisol. The circulatory system is particularly sensitive to the effects of stress, since the body interprets that there is some danger, generating blood clots that increase the risk of stroke, infarction or other very serious health problems.

And emotionally?

Of course, also, since if you practice this kindness, an environment is generated more conducive to everything flowing without problems, making everything easier. In addition, practice gratitude or make small acts of goodness closer to others and that gives rise to happiness, which is in the small things of day to day.

Be also grateful cure?

I have always been a skeptic of the idea of ​​gratitude as a source of well -being, but I have proven that it works. It is hard for us to thank the little things, so I propose to make a diary of gratitude and, before sleeping, remember every day the reasons you have to be grateful. The brain remembers more of bad things, since it usually ruminate them, than good; That is why it is necessary to make the effort to force us to write or point out all the positive thing that happens to us.

Is all this born or learned?

There are social people by nature, but you can learn and train. For example, knowing that you have to combine kindness with assertiveness to prevent it from being confused with weakness. This achieves more effective communication with others and, thanks to this, healthier and more balanced interpersonal relationships. In school, assertive skills to learn to relate should be taught.

In his book he speaks, for example, of the value of the smile. Is it so powerful?

It is the one that will cause the most positive impact on your life and the most powerful social communication tool that has a human being, since it sends a message of tranquility to which it is in front, which reduces the level of tension and stress.

A final message?

That you have to open your mind a bit and give a chance to kindness, because with it life will make us better.