We often think of kindness as something we do to another person, but have you ever stopped to consider how kindness can affect your health? It turns out that showing kindness to others not only has a positive effect on the recipient, but it can also have very beneficial effects on your own mental and physical health. In this article, we’ll look at 10 health benefits of being kind to others and how to incorporate it into your daily routine.
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What is Kindness?
When you think of kindness, what comes to mind?
For many people, kindness is simply the act of being nice or good to others, but what exactly is kindness?
Kindness is a virtue that can be defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
It is often considered one of the most important virtues because it is the foundation of many other virtues such as patience, love, and forgiveness.
One acts with kindness by performing thoughtful deeds without expecting anything in return. An act of kindness is its own reward. By making a positive difference in somebody else’s life, you in turn make your own life better.
Kindness makes us better people and a kinder world. And there’s nothing more gratifying than knowing we have contributed to another person’s happiness.
There are many different acts that can be considered acts of kindness. Some examples include giving someone a compliment, doing a favor for someone without them asking, or even just lending a listening ear to someone in need.
What Are the Health Benefits of being kind?
When it comes to improving your health, being kind to others may be just as important as exercising and eating right. That’s because kindness has powerful effects on your physical and mental health.
Here are some of the health benefits of being kind:
1. Kindness can reduce stress
Research has shown that being kind can reduce stress and help us lead happier and healthier lives.
When we are under stress, our bodies release the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone” and can have negative effects on our health, including reducing immunity, increasing anxiety and depression, and contributing to weight gain.
However, when we are kind to others, our bodies release oxytocin. Oxytocin is known as the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone” because it is released when we hug or touch. Oxytocin has numerous health benefits, including reducing stress by decreasing cortisol levels and increasing feelings of calmness and well-being.
Other research has found that people who engage in altruistic behavior – such as helping others – have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Helping others can also boost your self-esteem and make you feel more connected to others, both of which can help reduce stress.
2. Kindness can lower blood pressure
Kindness has been shown to create a “relaxation response,” which is the opposite of the “stress response.” The relaxation response promotes blood vessel dilatation and relaxation while reducing inflammation which can help improve circulation and lower blood pressure.
Also, the oxytocin released can decrease vascular tone in small and peripheral arteries, resulting in lower blood pressure (BP).
Although oxytocin decreases vascular tone and can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, it is not known to have any long-term effects on blood pressure or heart rate. So, incorporate it with other healthy practices like eating a healthy diet and engaging in physical activities.
3. Kindness can boost immunity
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from infection. The immune system’s main function is to keep foreign invaders, like bacteria and viruses, from causing illness. When these foreign invaders enter the body, the immune system works to identify them and destroy them.
When it comes to boosting immunity, kindness may be one of the most important factors. Again, this is due to its ability to increase oxytocin production.
Oxytocin has been shown to increase levels of antibodies and white blood cells, which fight off infection. One study found that when people were given oxytocin nasal spray, they had a decrease in the number of colds they got over a period of five months.
In addition to its direct effects on immunity, oxytocin also decreases stress levels. Stress can weaken our immune system, so by reducing stress, oxytocin indirectly helps to boost immunity.
Moreover, oxytocin also has anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to protect itself from infection or injury. However, chronic inflammation can lead to various health problems, such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. Luckily, oxytocin can help reduce inflammation in the body, thus boosting the ability to prevent disease.
4. Kindness can increase life satisfaction
A recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that people who performed acts of kindness reported higher levels of life satisfaction than those who didn’t.
The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia, involved over 1,000 participants from around the world. Each participant was asked to complete a survey that measured their level of life satisfaction. They were also asked whether they had performed any acts of kindness in the past 24 hours.
The results showed that those who had performed acts of kindness were significantly more likely to report higher levels of life satisfaction than those who hadn’t.
The findings held true even after controlling for other factors that could affect life satisfaction, such as age, income, and relationship status.
So why does being kind lead to increased life satisfaction? The researchers suggest that it may be because kind deeds often result in feelings of warmth, happiness, and gratitude – all of which can boost life satisfaction.
5. Kindness can improve heart health
When it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, being kind may be just as important as following a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. That’s because kindness can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and promote a sense of well-being.
Stress is a major risk factor for heart disease, so anything we can do to reduce our stress levels is good for our heart health. And being kind is a great way to do just that. When we’re kind to others, we release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins. These hormones help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
In addition to reducing stress, kindness can also lower blood pressure. A study published in the journal Circulation found that people who did acts of kindness had lower blood pressure than those who didn’t. According to the researchers, being kind may cause the body to produce less stress hormone cortisol, which can raise blood pressure.
Finally, kindness can improve your sense of well-being, which is also good for your heart health. When you’re kind, you feel good about yourself and your relationships. Studies have linked this positive state of mind with improved heart health.
6. Kindness can increase your lifespan
It’s true – being kind can help you live longer. In fact, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that people who did volunteer work had a lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who didn’t do any volunteering.
But it’s not just formal acts of kindness that can have an impact on your health. Showing small acts of consideration and thoughtfulness towards others on a daily basis can also make you feel happier and more contented, both mentally and physically. And when you feel good, you’re more likely to take care of yourself and make healthier choices, both of which can boost longevity.
In addition, kindness also promotes social connectedness, which is essential for both our mental and physical health. When we feel connected to others, we experience less anxiety and depression, and our overall wellbeing improves. And since social connection has been linked with a longer lifespan, it’s clear that being kind can help you live a longer, healthier life.
Acts of Kindness: How to Start a Daily Practice of kindness
If you’re looking to add a little more kindness into your life, there are many ways to do so. One way is to start a daily practice of acts of kindness.
Below are some suggestions on how to get started:
Don’t be kind for the sake of getting what you want
It can be easy to be kind to others with the ulterior motive of getting something in return, but true kindness comes from a place of selflessness.
When you are kind for the sake of getting something in return, your motives are not pure, and your actions may not be genuine. Instead of being kind to get what you want, be kind because it is the right thing to do.
Be polite
It is always important to be polite to others, but it is especially important when you are trying to start a daily practice of kindness.
By being polite, you show that you respect others and their feelings, and this can help create a more positive atmosphere for your acts of kindness.
Additionally, politeness can help defuse difficult situations and make them more manageable. Overall, being polite is just another way of being kind, and it can go a long way in helping you establish and maintain a daily practice of kindness.
Pay attention to opportunities
Be on the lookout for chances to do something kind. If you see someone struggling with their bags, offer to help carry them. If you know a neighbor is going through a tough time, see if there’s anything you can do to lend a hand.
Small acts can make a big difference
Don’t feel like you need to do something big or grandiose in order to be kind; sometimes, the simplest gestures can make the biggest impact. A smile, a compliment, or holding the door open for someone can go a long way.
Volunteer your time or resources to a local charity or non-profit organization.
There are always ways we can help others, even if it’s just donating our time or money to a good cause.
Reach out to someone you know who could use some extra support, whether it’s an elderly neighbor or a friend going through a tough time.
Just letting them know that you’re thinking of them can make all the difference in their day as well as yours.
Keep track of your progress
One way to stay motivated in your practice of kindness is by keeping track of all the good you’re doing. At the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on all the acts of kindness you’ve done—big or small—and visualize yourself doing even more.
Pay attention to your thoughts and words.
Our thoughts and words impact our actions, so it’s important to pay attention to them throughout the day. If you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts about someone, make a conscious effort to turn that thought around into something positive.
The same goes for your words – watch what you say and try to choose kinder, more compassionate words when communicating with others.
Be spontaneous
There’s no need to plan out every act of kindness in advance; part of the fun is being spontaneous and seeing where the day takes you!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Pay for someone’s coffee or tea in line behind you
- Leave a nice note on a coworker’s desk
- Offer to help someone with their groceries
- Let someone go ahead of you in line
Be patient with yourself.
Changing any habit takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself as you work on developing this new habit of kindness. It may not come naturally at first, but keep at it, and eventually, it will become second nature.
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Final Thoughts
Kindness is a powerful force that can have tremendous benefits not only on our relationships with others but also on our own health and wellbeing.
We may not realize it, but being kind to ourselves and to others can help us reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, boost immunity, and even increase life expectancy.
- So don’t forget to show others some kindness today – it’s good for your physical as well as mental health!
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Get discounted copies of my cookbook here.
Fortunately, because of the Ads on our website, readers and subscribers of Healthier Steps are sponsoring many underprivileged families
