Random Acts: Scientific Benefits of Being Kind
Our Good Deed Challenge is just ahead in August, and it’s a great time to explore the benefits of spreading kindness in our world. As part of the challenge, from August 1 – August 31, you’ll be invited to perform 30 acts of kindness over 30 days for the chance to earn 100 bWell points.
Why Be Kind?
Many of us have heard that performing random—and even regular acts—of kindness can be a good thing. But kindness helps our minds and our bodies in so many different ways, and it’s all backed by science. Here are just a few of the amazing ways kindness can improve your health.
- Promotes good mental health and happiness. When we experience kindness, a hormone called dopamine is released in our brain, lifting our mood. This phenomenon is sometimes called “Helper’s High.”
- It’s good for the heart. Being kind makes us feel good inside, often creating a warm feeling, which produces the hormone oxytocin. This causes the release of another chemical that expands blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, and protects the heart. It’s not just doing kind things for others that’s beneficial. Witnessing acts of kindness also produces oxytocin, so when you do kind things, you not only set an example, you can make a real difference in others’ health.
- Slows aging and increases lifespan. Kindness is proven to slow the aging process. And, individuals who volunteer their time for others tend to have fewer aches and pains. One study showed that people aged 55 and older who volunteer for at least two organizations have a 44% lower likelihood of dying early (excluding other contributing health factors and poor lifestyle habits). That’s more beneficial than exercising 4 times a week!
- Boosts your energy levels. Acting like a natural antidepressant, kindness stimulates the production of the “feel good” chemical in the brain called serotonin. It’s also been proven that your brain’s pleasure and rewards centers light up, as if you are the recipient of a good deed, rather than the person doing it.
- Relieves pain. Acts of kindness have been known to produce endorphins, which are the brain’s natural painkiller.
- Reduces stress. Really kind people tend to have about 23% less cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, than the average population.
Finally, being kind to others can be contagious—and it’s never too late to learn! It’s been shown that kindness is teachable, and people can build up their compassion “muscle” by putting kindness into practice with even the smallest of gestures.
For ideas on some simple ways to do good and improve your own health, click here.
Sources: Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, National Academy of Sciences, Psychology Today, Medical Daily, Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science (1998 clinical trial)