Kindness Matters
Be the reason someone smiles today Being kind is a win-win for both the giver
and receiver. The list of benefits for the receiver is extensive—and helping others is the right thing to do, of course—but did you know that kindness also makes the giver happier and healthier? It may seem selfish to look at how being kind to others is beneficial to us, but the recent science surrounding kindness is so fascinating that it can’t be ignored.
The Chemistry of Kindness Brain chemistry actually changes when we do something nice for another person. Studies show that thinking about, watching or practicing kindness stimulates the vagus nerve, which is linked to the production of oxytocin in the brain. Oxytocin is a hormone that soothes, making people feel calmer and happier. Being kind also triggers the production of dopamine, the hormone responsible for positive emotions and that “natural high” feeling. As a result, people who practice kindness regularly experience positive health changes such as: • Increased life expectancy • Stronger immune system • Fewer aches and pains • Decreased stress and anxiety • Decreased loneliness and depression
How Kindness and Stress Are Connected How can helping someone reduce stress? A study published by UCLA and Yale University School of Medicine linked acts of kindness to stress reduction. For 14 days, a group of adults was asked to report stressful events they experienced each day from several categories (e.g., interpersonal, work/education, home, finance, health/accident). They were also asked to report if they participated in various helpful behaviors that day (e.g., held open a door, assisted with schoolwork, asked someone if they needed help).
Results showed that helping others controlled the effects of stress on overall health. Researchers concluded that volunteerism can be an important way to cope with stress. According to the Association for Psychological Science, study author Emily Ansell of the Yale University School of Medicine said, “Stressful days usually lead us to have a worse mood and poorer mental health, but our findings suggest that if we do small things for others, such as holding a door open for someone, we won’t feel as poorly on stressful days.”
5 Kindness Activities for Families Now that you know these additional benefits of being kind, don’t you just want to get out there and make someone smile? There are many simple ways to incorporate kindness into your family’s daily routine. • Find a local volunteer project to do as a family. • Introduce kindness programs and resources to your child’s school. (see sidebar) • Participate in random acts of kindness with your kids and talk to them about the experience (how did it make them feel?). Some ideas include leaving a treat on a neighbor’s doorstep, giving a very generous tip to restaurant staff, opening a door for a stranger, and helping a senior citizen with groceries. Get dozens of ideas in our article “41 Random Acts of Kindness: How to Make the World a Better Place” at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/ donations-volunteers-and-local-fundraisers. • Send a thank you note to someone who has done something special for you (or who is special to you). • Join a kindness challenge with KindSpring. The site offers kindness challenges, Smile Cards and an online community of people who practice small acts of kindness, share stories and support each other. Get connected at www.kindspring.org. v
Sandi Schwartz is an author, journalist, and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues.
18 • SanDiegofamily.com • February 2022
Sandi Schwartz
