Kindness is contagious
Licensed Psychologist
CentraCare Health – Adult Behavioral Health
When you do an act of kindness, you receive physical and emotional benefits — as do all others who witnessed the act. Kindness is more contagious than the flu!
Health
Acts of kindness create emotional warmth, which produces oxytocin in the brain and throughout the body. Oxytocin aids in lowering blood pressure. It also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re in anxious or shy in a social situation. Or when we are feeling down on ourselves for one reason or another. Kindness can put a smile on your face and help you feel healthier and energized.
Energy
Studies show that being kind makes you more energetic. It also reduces the effect of stress, which boosts your immunity. Kindness can help with your “get up and go!”
Happiness
Doing random acts of kindness triggers the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood stability. Random acts of kindness can make both you and the recipient happy. It can turn your day around.
Lifespan
Perpetually kind people have 23 percent less cortisol, the stress hormone, and age two times slower than the average population. For example, people who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains and a 44 percent lower likelihood of dying early. Kindness also can help with your quality of life.
Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb. 12-18. Try one of these 50 ideas. Even better, try to do a random act of kindness every day!