November is a month that revolves around the themes of generosity, gratitude, and compassion. Notably, World Kindness Day falls precisely ten days before Thanksgiving (November 13th), serving as a gentle nudge to remind us of the importance of kindness. While kindness isn’t restricted to a single day, these occasions can serve as timely prompts to exercise this virtue. Kindness, after all, is a universal language that knows no boundaries, cultural divides, or societal distinctions. It’s an integral facet of our shared humanity, and extensive research underscores its capacity to not only uplift others, but also to significantly enhance our own well-being. Together, we’re going to look at the research which shows how kindness is crucial for our own health and then share fun ideas on how to bring more kindness into the world for everyone’s benefit, including yours.
Kindness Releases Feel Good Hormones
Have you ever noticed that when you do something nice for someone else, it makes you feel better too? This isn’t just something that happens randomly—it has to do with the pleasure centers in your brain.
Doing nice things for others boosts your serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of satisfaction and well-being. Like exercise, altruism also releases endorphins, a phenomenon known as a “helper’s high.”
Kindness Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Being compassionate towards others decreases your stress hormone, cortisol and increases oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone. As one study on happiness from the University of British Columbia (UBC) showed, “social anxiety is associated with low positive affect (PA), a factor that can significantly affect psychological well-being and adaptive functioning.” Positive affect refers to an individual’s experience of positive moods such as joy, interest, and alertness.
UBC researchers found that participants who engaged in kind acts displayed significant increases in PA that were sustained over the four weeks of the study.
Next time when your world feels like too much to bear, do something kind for someone else and your anxiety might just slip away.
Kindness is Good For Your Heart
As mentioned above, kindness decreases cortisol which is a stress hormone that has many downstream health effects in regards to the heart. Elevated cortisol can increase blood pressure, it increases blood sugar levels which over time can contribute to insulin resistance and Diabetes, both of which increase the risk for heart issues.
Kindness Increases Longevity
According to the Blue Zones, which are the countries that have the longest longevity, the common factor amongst these countries is the sense of community. Kindness is a powerful social glue. Engaging in acts of compassion helps to build and strengthen social connections, fostering a sense of belonging and community. A strong social network is essential for emotional and physical well-being. It provides a support system that can help you navigate life’s challenges and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Longevity isn’t just about extending the number of years you live but also about the quality of those years. Kindness can contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life.
Increases Your Immune System
The positive emotions associated with helping others stimulate the production of antibodies and enhance the body’s ability to defend against illness and disease.
Acts of kindness doesn’t have to be an elaborate effort, even the seemingly “little” things can have profound impact. Here are some ideas:
- Hold the door for someone
- Smile at a stranger
- Pay for someone’s coffee
- Offer your seat to someone
- Listen actively
- Help a neighbor
- Clean up your community
- Pay it forward to someone
Kindness is a powerful force for good that has far-reaching benefits for both the giver and the receiver, which makes you wonder…. Who’s actually the receiver? Incorporating acts of kindness into your daily life is a simple yet effective way to promote overall well-being. So, as you go about your day, remember that being kind not only makes the world a better place but also has a profound impact on your health.
Written by Sue Rapley
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