- Kindness and mental he alth
- Kindness and physical he alth
- Do all acts of kindness bring you the same benefit?
Research suggests that acts of kindness may have a positive effect on the mental he alth of donors. The form does not matter much - it can be volunteering, donating money to charity, helping a disabled or needy person. How altruism improves physical he alth has also been tested.
Mutual help builds social bonds, which is especially important right now - when our neighbors are at war. And let's not forget about the pandemic, during which isolation contributed to the deterioration of the mental he alth of many people.
Kindness and mental he alth
Acts of kindness can not only strengthen relationships, but also help you make new friends, offer an optimistic outlook, and make you feel good about yourself. The mere mention of doing good can also contribute to a feeling of well-being. A 2022 study published in theJournal of Positive Psychologyshows ,that when participants recalled, for example, hugging their grandfather or buying dinner for a colleague, their mood improved as well as doing the activity.
Some research studies link kindness to the release of neurotransmitters and hormones related to mood and well-being. Oxytocin, in particular, has a beneficial effect on overall he alth due to its anti-inflammatory, pro-immune and anti-stress effects.
Kindness and physical he alth
Researchers also looked at how altruism improves physical he alth. It turns out that being kind can lower your blood pressure or strengthen your immune system. One study found that giving money to those in need improved cardiovascular he alth in at-risk older people diagnosed with hypertension.
Other studies have found that incorporating small acts of kindness into your daily routine can positively regulate your genes. The findings also point to possible changes in immune markers that affect disease development or immunity.
Do all acts of kindness bring you the same benefit?
In the analysis published in 2022 inSocial Issues and PolicyReviewassessed the impact of altruism on happiness using three motivational factors - autonomy, competence, and kinship. The most rewarding experiences are those we choose voluntarily when we see that our efforts have a positive effect, and those that we connect with other people.