6 Scientifically Proven Ways Being Kind Is Healthy
We are all familiar with the golden rule, which states that you should treat people the way you would want to be treated. Despite the fact that this is an ancient adage that we learn from a young age, there are a lot of real-world advantages involved with the way we treat others. Science has shown that we are naturally built to be nice as youngsters, and that we may further improve this attribute via practice and repetition as we get older. Outside factors and the stress of our daily lives, however, may cause us to lose sight of this innate capacity from time to time, and we can become depressed.
Our ability to connect to others and have more good interactions with friends, family, and even complete strangers we come into contact with in our everyday lives is enhanced by our kindness and empathy. Kindness, on the other hand, may have a positive impact on your health beyond merely strengthening personal connections.
Here are six scientifically proven methods to boost your health by being nice to others.
1.Kindness stimulates the release of feel-good endorphins.
What if I told you that when you do something good for someone else, it automatically makes you feel better as well? That this occurs isn’t a result of chance; it has everything to do with the pleasure centers in your brain.
Giving to others increases serotonin levels in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for emotions of happiness and well-being. Altruism, like exercise, causes the production of endorphins, resulting in what is described as a “helper’s high.”
Hence, go ahead and volunteer, assist someone in need, buy someone a cup of coffee or lunch, or try one of these suggestions—it may be exactly what you need to get you through the day.
6 Scientifically Proven Ways Being Kind Is Healthy
2.Anxiety may be reduced via kindness.
Whether it’s slight anxiousness or severe fear, anxiety is something that almost everyone has experienced at some point in their life. While there are several methods for reducing anxiety, including meditation, exercise, prescription drugs, and natural therapies, it has been shown that being kind to others is one of the simplest and most economical ways to keep anxiety at bay.
A research on happiness conducted by the University of British Columbia (UBC) discovered that “social anxiety is connected with low positive affect (PA), a trait that may considerably influence psychological well-being and adaptive functioning.” It is the feeling of pleasant emotions such as happiness, curiosity, and attentiveness that is referred to as positive affect in psychology.
The researchers at the University of British Columbia discovered that individuals who performed good actions had large increases in PA, which persisted over the entire four-week trial.
Next time you’re feeling a bit nervous, consider how you may provide a helping hand to someone else. Everything from just smiling at someone or contacting a friend to donating your time and services to an organization falls under this category. Even a modest gesture may have a significant impact.
3.Having a kind heart is beneficial.
While it is true that making others feel happy may “warm” your heart, being kind to others can also have an impact on the chemical equilibrium of your heart.
The hormone oxytocin is released when someone is kind to someone else or anything. Doctor David Hamilton states that “oxytocin induces the production of a molecule called nitric oxide in blood vessels, which causes the blood vessels to dilate (expand).” Because it lowers blood pressure, oxytocin is referred to as a ‘cardioprotective’ hormone, which means that it protects the heart (by reducing blood pressure).”
Kindness helps to build your heart on both a physical and psychological level. Perhaps this is why it is said that individuals who are polite and compassionate have huge hearts to begin with.
It has the potential to extend your life.
There are scientific reasons to support what we’re about to say, and we’re not simply stating it because we think it’s a good idea.
It has been determined by Health.com that if you don’t have a solid support network of family and friends, you have a higher chance of developing heart disease. Having deep, lasting connections and friendships is a result of being nice to others.
Now is a good time to meet some new acquaintances or to extend your warmth and compassion to those you currently know.
It has a calming effect on you.
We’re always seeking for methods to alleviate stress in our hectic, always-on-the-go lifestyles. It is possible that it is less difficult than we anticipate.
You can move outside of yourself and take a vacation from the difficulties in your own life while you are helping others, and this behavior may also make you more prepared to deal with stressful circumstances when you are not.
Anything that helps you create ties with others is considered affiliational activity.
As reported by researchers studying the effects of prosocial behavior on stress, “affiliative behavior appears to be a critical component of managing stress, with evidence suggesting that engaging in prosocial behavior (action intended to help others) may be an effective strategy for reducing the impact of stress on emotional functioning.”
6 Scientifically Proven Ways Being Kind Is Healthy
6.Infections are prevented by showing kindness to others.
Inflammation in the body has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, obesity, and migraines, to name a few examples. Among those aged 57 to 85, “volunteering had the highest link with reduced levels of inflammation,” according to a research published in JAMA Internal Medicine. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and even the smallest acts of kindness may cause the production of oxytocin.
Perhaps the key to living a long and healthy life is to be kind to one another. Do not, however, rely only on my testimony. Let me know how you’re feeling after you’ve shared a smile, donated, volunteered, or helped others.
6 Scientifically Proven Ways Being Kind Is Healthy
