Scientific evidence
to be kind
The power of kindness
Positive chain reaction
Kindness doubles when you share it. Sounds like tile wisdom right? It turns out to be surprisingly scientifically based. Studies from Cambridge University, University of Plymouth and University of California show that just looking at an act of kindness produces a positive effect. The mirror neurons in your brain activate and turn on the same feel-good hormones as when you do something kind yourself. This makes you more likely to do something kind as well. Think of it as a vicious circle. A chain reaction that makes life a lot more pleasant for everyone!
Imagine…
You’re standing in the rain waiting for a delayed train. Bummer. You don’t have an umbrella and you already know you’ll arrive late. The morning begins awkwardly. Someone walks by, turns around, smiles and says, “What a nice coat you have on.” A small gesture, yet immediately you feel your attitude change and your mood brighten. So it works! That is the power of kindness. It costs nothing, it’s quick, and it has an immediate effect on your mood. Mark Twain also aptly summed it up, “Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
A positive boost
Kindness and generosity boost your mood. When you’re feeling down for a while, you often don’t give yourself a way out. The best way to give your mood a little boost is to be helpful toward others. Think about giving up your seat or helping someone cross the street. These moments trigger endorphins and oxytocin, the hormones that make you feel happy. Scientists call this the “helper’s high. You experience the same reward stimulus as with a compliment or success experience.
Being friendly is a choice
So reason enough to let go of your friendly self! Every day offers opportunities to act kindly. A smile to a passerby, putting someone ahead of you or helping with something small. You don’t have to make a grand gesture to create impact. Kindness often starts with attention and a few seconds of time. You can do that today!
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Source: Greater Good Magazine: Science-Based Insights for a Meaningful life.
Source: Kelli Harding, MD, MPH. (2020).The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness.
