The Science of Kindness
We all know that it feels good to be kind. What if we told you that kindness is also good for you? Most of us know that acts of kindness make others feel good. But what is not as well known is that when we are kind, our actions change something in our brain that in turn nourishes our body, mind and spirit.
A recent study published in the Journal of Social Psychology found that people who perform an act of kindness every day report significantly higher levels of happiness than those who do not. This report was in sync with findings from the Journal of Happiness Studies, which pointed to heightened life satisfaction levels among individuals who perform acts of kindness over six weeks.
Most of us feel happier and more at peace when our stress levels are down. Well guess what? Kindness can also help reduce anxiety and stress! Research from the University of British Columbia indicates that people who are regularly and deliberately kind show far less social anxiety and heightened peace of mind.
Even The Mayo Clinic is talking about the power of kindness. A 2023 article notes that acts of kindness can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, the hormone directly correlated with stress levels. Mayo notes that there is a chemistry that comes with kindness. This chemistry benefit takes the good feelings one step further by actually changing the brain with boosts of serotonin and dopamine. These are the naturally occurring “happiness chemicals,” so called because they produce feelings of overall satisfaction and well-being, in addition to making the pleasure centers of your brain light up on MRIs. Endorphins, your body's natural painkiller, also may be released when you show kindness. Their studies validate that kindness increases self-esteem, empathy and compassion.
Other studies, articles and lectures talk about the power that kindness has to enhance one’s sense of purpose in life, expand and strengthen social connections, improve self-esteem and increase overall feelings of gratitude. If we at KIND30 believe that “Kindness is Needed Daily,” we consider a daily act of kindness as nutrition for the soul, a cleanse for the spirit and sunshine for the mind.