We have been taught from a young age to be kind to others because that is how we would like others to treat us. Could our kindness also have a positive impact on our own life?

In studies done at a leading university, it was found that doing nice things for people led to a significant increase in people’s positive moods and relationship satisfaction, and a decrease in social avoidance. Five positive side-effects were identified:

  1. Kindness makes us happier. It is believed that the good feeling we get when doing something kind for another is due to elevated levels of the brain’s natural versions of morphine and heroin, which in turn causes elevated levels of dopamine in the brain, causing us to get a natural high.
  2. Kindness gives us healthier hearts. Acts of kindness are often accompanied by emotional warmth, which produces the hormone oxytocin in the brain. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide in blood vessels, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and therefore oxytocin is known as a cardio-protective hormone as it protects the heart.
  3. Kindness slows ageing. Ageing is sped up significantly by free radicals and inflammation. Remarkable research now shows that oxytocin also reduces these levels in the cardiovascular system and so slows ageing at the source.
  4. Kindness makes for better relationships. Kindness reduces the emotional distance between two people and so we feel more connected. Our evolutionary ancestors had to have strong emotional bonds within groups, which created better chances of survival. Thus kindness genes were etched into the human genome.
  5. Kindness is contagious. The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who has witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to show kindness to someone else. This means one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people!

In another study, it was found that the happier participants felt about their past generosity, the more likely they were to spend money on someone else instead of themselves. In another study, it was found that the happier participants felt about their past generosity, the more likely they were to spend money on someone else instead of themselves. A good deed makes you happy and the happier you feel, the more likely you are to do another kind act.

So when you feel like making your own day by making someone else’s day, here are some simple ways to cheer up a friend, colleague or total stranger and make yourself feel better in the process!

    • When driving, let someone merge into your lane.
    • Baby-sit your neighbour’s children while he or she takes a nap.
    • Send a gratitude email to a co-worker who deserves recognition.
    • Make small talk with a cashier.
    • Volunteer to run an errand for a busy co-worker.
    • Give a genuine compliment to someone.
    • Post inspirational sticky notes around your neighbourhood, office, school, etc.
    • Surprise a friend with freshly baked treats!
    • Write your partner a list of things you love about him or her.

 

Sources

Castillo, S. Thirteen ways to be nicer. Retrieved from http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/doing-kind-acts-reduces-anxiety-study
Did you know? There are scientifically proven benefits of being kind! Retrieved from https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/the-science-of-kindness
Dixon, A. Kindness makes you happy … and happiness makes you kind. Retrieved from http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/kindness_makes_you_happy_and_happiness_makes_you_kind
Five side effects of kindness on health: it’s Random Acts of Kindness Week. Retrieved from http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/5-side-effects-of-kindness-on-health-2015/