Kindness is one of the most powerful ‘drugs’ known to man. It has the ability to bring a smile, to warm a heart and or change a life. Not many are aware however, that it is also highly beneficial for your health!
When we are kind to another, or receive kindness, we experience a release of a hormone called oxytocin; the warm fuzzy sensation that we feel during these times is caused by this release.
The oxytocin rushes though our bloodstream and attaches to receptors on the insides of blood vessels. When connected, this causes a release of nitric oxide which then dilates the blood vessels!
Nitric oxide is an ingredient in many blood pressure medications, but you can create it through acts of kindness too! With more relaxed vessels, the blood is transported under less pressure which also makes it easier for the heart.
Kindness is therefore known to be good for cardiovascular health.
And that’s not all! People who are consistently kind have been shown to have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone). And it’s also proven that they age slower!
Studies also repeatedly show that people who are kind, tend to be happier.
Kindness stimulates the production of serotonin which makes you happy. It’s a natural, free and ‘on-tap’ anti-depressant.
Within my coaching practice I regularly ‘prescribe’ kindness to my clients and encourage them to go and lift others with their words and actions. This substantially increases both their happiness and fulfilment, and obviously their health.
Every single day, you experience countless opportunities to be kind. My question to you is “Are you seeing them?”.
I’m a huge fan personally of Random Acts Of Kindness. I love to bring a smile, or joy to the life of another and often anonymously. Why not try it yourself? Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
Small actions can make a big difference to the life of an individual.
Many years ago, prior to my work as a coach, I lost all confidence in myself through adversity. I felt invisible and unimportant.
One day a complete stranger walked up to me and paid me a small compliment which made a huge difference to my life. She will never know what she did for me in that moment, but as a result I’m driven to make sure that I do the same for others through acts of kindness.
I’d love you to join me in my mission to make the world a better place! Why not create some random acts of kindness today?
