Wellness Wednesday: Be Kind

Wellness Wednesday: Be Kind

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. It costs nothing to show care and consideration for others. It can sometimes feel hard to have a generous spirit: other people can be standoffish, your own stress can dampen your mood, and sometimes it feels like the world we live in rewards cynical and self-serving behavior at the expense of empathy and compassion.

It is good to be kind. Not just because it can strengthen your relationships and make you a more patient and caring human being—it can also have a very positive impact on your personal health and wealth.

A Little Gratitude Goes A Long Way

A simple way to show kindness both to yourself and to others is to practice gratitude. On the home front, this can be done with the simple habit of maintaining a gratitude journal. Write down three different things that you’re grateful for every day. It’s a fast and easy thing to do, and it has the benefit of putting your life into perspective. On darker days when things don’t feel like they’re going your way, being able to flip back a few pages and be reminded of what makes your life worthwhile could be the balm that your troubled soul needs.

To others, something as simple as a word of encouragement or compliment (in appropriate circumstances) can both lift their spirits and also help you ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that giving and receiving gratitude can improve moods and foster a sense of personal well-being.

The Helper’s High

You’ve probably heard of the Runner’s High—a state of relaxing euphoria that's triggered by lengthy or intense exercise. Did you know that a similar phenomenon is tied to charity and acts of kindness? Researchers at Harvard University, the National Institutes of Health, and Emory University have all conducted studies that have found compelling evidence that a “Helper’s High” exists. 

Their findings show that there is a correlation between charitable activity and the release of endorphins in the brain. This is similar to how a runner’s high works. Endorphins are our body’s painkillers; released by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in response to pain or stress, endorphins relieve pain and create a feeling of general well-being. They can also be released by pleasurable activities, including eating a delicious meal, laughter, and experiencing love.

According to these “Helper’s High” studies, even just thinking about giving money to a charity or performing a selfless deed can activate parts of the brain that are connected to receiving rewards or experiencing pleasure. We are tribal animals, hard-wired to look out for one another.

Harvard’s study found that “those who gave contributions of time or money” were “42% more likely to be happy” than those who didn’t give. Giving your time and money to those in need isn’t just a moral good; it can literally make you a happier person!

Volunteering

Volunteering to help out your community can have a lot of beneficial side-effects. Beyond the sense of pride and accomplishment you’ll feel from doing your part to make a difference, it can help you make friends and potentially offer opportunities to network. Volunteering can also help add a bit of spice to your resume.

For volunteers over the age of 40, studies show that doing volunteer work can provide enough mental and social stimulation to help stave off depression and even dementia. These social interactions are crucial for maintaining mental and physical health and can give older working adults and seniors an outlet for engaging with others when they have limited social options outside their work and home lives.

Article by Austin Brietta

Want more wellness tips? Check out these stories:

• Restarting Your Inner Computer
• Life Can Be Sweet (In Small Doses)