The Power of Being Deliberately Kind
Have you ever been cut off in traffic? How do you feel right now thinking about that time? Angry? Frustrated? Now think about a time when someone did something kind for you. A different set of feelings emerge—warmth, worth, and acceptance.
Incorporating deliberate kindness into everyday life doesn’t require grand gestures. Even small acts can make a significant impact.
David Hamilton, PhD, an organic chemist and author, was inspired by the placebo effect and concluded that people can harness their mind and emotions to improve their health. In his book, “The Five Side-Effects of Kindness,” David explores the neurological, physical, and emotional effects of kindness. He found that kindness leads to greater happiness, benefits heart health, slows aging, improves relationships, and is contagious.
Let’s take a quick look at these five side-effects of kindness.
The Happiness Effect of Kindness
Kindness brings a smile to the recipient’s face and to the giver’s face. It makes everyone happy. Children, adults, and older adults feel happier when they are kind. Older adults who volunteer to help others experience greater happiness, a sense of purpose, and a stronger will to live.
Kindness can help relieve depression, boost self-esteem, and reduce social anxiety. It physically changes the brain by producing serotonin, the same chemical that some antidepressants aim to boost
Kindness is Good for the Heart
Kindness uplifts us, whether we witness it, receive it, or show it. This feeling of elevation releases oxytocin, the “molecule of kindness,” in our body. Oxytocin triggers the release of nitric oxide and ANP, which dilate our arteries and reduce blood pressure. Think of kindness as Viagra for our arteries.
Nitric oxide also helps protect against plaque formation, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, oxytocin counters oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to the hardening of arteries.
Kindness is cardioprotective. Being kind to animals is also beneficial for the heart, as it helps reduce blood pressure and significantly lowers the risk of heart attacks by 400 percent. Moreover, kindness acts as an antidote to stress, mitigating its negative impact on cardiovascular health.
Kindness Slows Aging
Kindness can slow seven aging processes: muscle degeneration, reduced vagal tone, inflammation, oxidative stress, depleted nitric oxide, shortened telomeres, and immunosenescence.
- Muscle Regeneration: Kindness boosts oxytocin, essential for muscle regeneration.
- Improved Vagal Tone: Kindness enhances vagal tone, helping neutralize chronic inflammation linked to aging and disease.
- Oxidative Stress Reduction: Oxytocin from acts of kindness combats free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that causes skin aging and wrinkles.
- Boosted Nitric Oxide: Kindness increases nitric oxide, vital for maintaining various body systems.
- Telomere Protection: Kindness, compassion, and emotional support slow telomere shortening, a key factor in aging.
- Enhanced Immunity: Kindness boosts the immune system, countering immunosenescence, the gradual decline of immune function with age.
In summary, consistent thoughts, feelings, and acts of kindness promote overall health and slow visible signs of aging. Embrace kindness to maintain vitality and youthfulness.
Kindness Improves Relationships
Kindness is what most of us seek in a partner and what others find most attractive in us. Our ancient ancestors learned the value of sharing and safety in numbers, making kindness a natural and healthy trait. The gene producing oxytocin, over 500 million years old, is integrated into many of our body’s systems, which respond positively to kindness. This is why kindness makes us happier, benefits our heart, and slows aging.
Kindness helps us shine and be our best selves. It is the foundation of successful friendships and relationships. Embrace kindness to enhance your connections and improve your relationships.
Kindness is Contagious
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
Scott Adams
Kindness creates a ripple effect, its power and reach often extending far beyond the initial act. One kind gesture leads to another, whether you witness it or display it yourself. Kindness frequently comes full circle; a seemingly random act of kindness can eventually come back to you.
Spread the word: kindness benefits you mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Years ago, I was standing in a slow-moving queue at a busy supermarket, holding just two items. The gentleman in front of me turned around and said, “Please, go ahead. You’ve only got two things. I’m not in a rush.” His small gesture didn’t change the course of history, but it changed my perspective. No one had ever let me go ahead before. Thirty years later, I often allow shoppers with minimal items to go ahead of me. I’ve even received comments like, “I wish more people were like you.” That always puts a smile on my face.
Kindness is powerful and transformative. Embrace it, share it, and watch it grow.
Your Kindness Challenge!
- Perform one act of kindness each day for seven days in a row.
- It must be something different each day.
- You have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, something that stretches you.
- At least one of your acts of kindness must be anonymous.
- If you want to go further, make it a 21-day challenge so it becomes a habit!
Let me know how you go. Post your responses. I’d love to hear from you.