"People care about status despite their best intentions because our brains are wired this way. But playing status games can be stressful, anxiety-provoking, and joy-stealing. Learn to rewire your brain to replace the trap of social comparison with joy of self-confidence"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

Preface: How I stopped selling -- Introduction: Why we care about status -- Part 1: Why status games are relentless. Status games in animals ; Social rivalry among early humans ; Status games around the world -- Part 2: How our brain creates status games. Serotonin and the pleasure of social dominance ; Cortisol and status stress ; Why it's always high school in your brain -- Part 3: Healthy alternatives to status games. A healthy serotonin mindset ; Practical steps toward serotnin ; Help others escape status games.