The Health Benefits of Kindness

Kindness is not just an ethical behavior; it is also a healthy one. Being kind to others will make you healthier and happier. Research shows that unhappy people can mimic the kind behaviors of happier people and become happier themselves as a result. Nature has wired our brains to reward us for good behavior. This makes sense because kind behaviors benefit all of humanity.

Kindness Helps Everyone

Kindness helps the giver, receiver and the witness to kindness. Being involved in an acts of kindness, even passively, will increase the levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter than improves mood) in your brain. This chemical reaction can be compared to runners high and is sometimes called "helpers high".

Size Does Not Matter

Whether the act of altruism is large or small does not matter. The brain responds to any act of goodness with a rush of endorphin-fueled euphoria followed by a period of long-lasting serenity. The same brain chemicals that cause these good feelings also reduce pain, benefiting those who suffer from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.

Fake It

It also does not matter if the act is genuine or feigned. Smiling is a good example of this. Even smiling by yourself, when no one else is there to receive it will physically change the chemical makeup of your brain and boost your mood. Just watching a movie displaying kind behaviors can give you the health benefits of kindness.

Better Health

All of these good feelings have a positive affect on your overall well-being. The positive emotions you feel because of being kind will reverse feelings of depression, isolation and hostility. The result is less stress and a healthier immune system. Your body will be better able to recover from illnesses like ulcers, stress-related asthma, fatigue and insomnia.

There are many things you can do to benefit from kindness:

Smile
Watch a move displaying kindness
Give compliments
Be positive
Hold the door for a stranger
Give up your place in line
Give blood
Volunteer
Write a thank you note
Smile at strangers
Say, "hello" and "have a nice day"

Because being kind is easy, there is no reason not to take advantage of this healthful behavior and the physical and emotional benefits it has to offer.