“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ― Mark Twain
For many years, scientists and researchers have wondered why it is that us humans are so driven to be kind to one another. And in time, they’ve discovered that those small acts of kindness we see every day on the streets are not for nothing.
Many types of research and studies that have been conducted throughout the years, found out that engaging in acts of kindness provides us with many benefits that ultimately boost our well-being and help up handle the stressful challenges of our everyday life.
In a nutshell, kindness is the only key to happiness. A kind word or a kind deed have the power to unlock the heaviest, iron door.
That is why I’ve made it my mission to challenge you to be kind.
But, first, here are a few ways how kindness can actually improve your life:
1. KINDNESS IMPROVES YOUR MOOD
Believe it or not, being nice to other people will not only improve your overall mood, but it will also help you experience more positive feelings. It has been proved that doing random kind deeds triggers our system to release serotonin (stability) and oxytocin (connection) – also known as happy hormones. Research has shown that random acts of kindness have a powerful effect of making us feel emotionally stable and fulfilled.
2. IT REDUCES STRESS
Whenever you feel too stressed, try to breathe and find someone who could use your help. I’m serious, doing good deeds has been discovered to be truly beneficial for our health. A study published in the clinical psychological science showed that when stressed, individuals usually seek out opportunities to nurture others in order to alleviate their stress.
3. BEING NICE TO OTHERS BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNITY
While high cortisol levels can affect your body, and cause you cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal problems, immune system suppression, fertility issues, weight gain, sugar imbalance and more, engaging in acts of kindness has the opposite effect. The nicer we are, the more the levels of our happy hormones increase and the higher our immunity rises.
4. KINDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS
A 2008 study conducted by the University of California San Diego and Harvard University discovered that cooperative behavior can spread from one person to another, multiply and cause an effect of happiness. Believe it or not, people can catch kindness. The study discovered that a kind of behavior can cascade through a social network and spread to three degrees of separation.
5. ACTS OF KINDNESS CAN HELP YOU OVERCOME SOCIAL ANXIETY
Social anxiety, as well as social avoidance, have been usually linked to negative social experiences, which is very harmful to socially anxious individuals. One of the biggest obstacles why these people struggle with overcoming their issue is because their anxiety causes them to fear other people’s reaction and make poor impressions.
However, a study has shown that kindness can be the perfect ice-breaker and conversation started. When socially anxious people approach others with kindness, this slowly helps them avoid their fears and focus on socializing.
6.BEING NICE INCREASES YOUR ENERGY LEVELS
Admit it, there’s something deeply satisfying and heart-warming about helping people and making others happy. No matter how low your spirits are, the energy you receive from people’s gratitude has the power to increase your energy levels and boost your confidence.
7. IT MAKES YOU HAPPIER
It’s really simple. Whenever we do a good deed for a person, the overwhelming feeling of happiness is simply inevitable. We feel good because we are the reason behind someone’s smile. That feeling triggers the release of the happy hormones which help us achieve that natural high. This chain reaction makes us happier and more fulfilled.
However, I personally believe that sharing a certain theory without putting into good use is simply useless. You can save this article, print screen some of the benefits, send them to a friend, but nothing will ever compare to actually doing greatness.
That is why I challenge you to engage in random acts of kindness, share them with us and encourage your friends to do the same.
Whether you decide to help an old lady with her groceries, help that man start their car, compliment a random person, lend someone some money, write a nice recommendation letter for someone you’ve worked with, write an honest, glowing review about something you’ve purchased, donate a full bag of clothes and food, volunteer at a shelter, be Santa Clause for children in need, raise money for the poor people in your area, clean up a local park, it is your call.
As long as you share the love and do kind things for others, you will grow.
Remember, changes start with you.
