How to Be Human

How to Be Human – Ruby Wax

Comedian, writer and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax has spoken openly about her own experiences with depression, and she later studied mindfulness-based cognitive therapy at the University of Oxford. In How to Be Human: The Manual, she teams up with two unlikely collaborators, a Buddhist monk, Gelong Thubten, and a neuroscientist, Ash Ranpura, to explore what it means to be human in a fast-paced, stressful modern world.

Wax argues that our brains evolved for a very different environment, and that many of the habits that once helped us survive, such as constant vigilance, comparison with others and the hunger for more, now leave us anxious, exhausted and dissatisfied. Each chapter takes on an aspect of human life and examines it from three perspectives: Wax provides the humor and personal experience, the neuroscientist explains what is happening in the brain and body, and the monk offers insights from Buddhist practice and meditation.

The book covers a wide range of topics, including evolution, thoughts, emotions, the body, addiction, relationships, sex, raising children, compassion, and the future of humanity in an age of technology and artificial intelligence. Throughout, it offers simple mindfulness exercises and practical suggestions to help readers become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, calm their minds and relate to others with more kindness.

Witty, irreverent and honest, the book combines laughter with genuine insight, making serious subjects approachable.

How to Be Human will appeal to readers interested in mental health, mindfulness, psychology and self-understanding. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care, and readers experiencing serious difficulties should seek appropriate support.