How being kind benefits your health

Doing something nice for someone might make you feel good, but kindness also has big kickbacks for your overall health.

Want to know a secret about how you can consistently feel good every day? It’s not a radical juice cleanse, giving up carbs, or doing yoga. It’s kindness. Helping someone out. Doing good things. Making the world a better place.

Kindness triggers something in our brains: oxytocin and serotonin. 

Oxytocin¹, aka the love hormone, is the chemical that helps us develop social bonds and trust, and that fizzy little boost we get from it gives us confidence and makes us friendlier and more generous. While oxytocin is most commonly generated in more intimate moments (such as during sex and childbirth), it’s also released when we witness someone else doing a good deed².

Serotonin³, on the other hand, is the neurotransmitter responsible for stabilising our mood, happiness and wellbeing. If we’re low in serotonin, we’re more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression⁴, but a boost can help alleviate these symptoms and help you feel good. Natural ways to give your serotonin levels a kick include exposure to sunshine, exercise, and of course, helping others. 

Another cool thing about kindness? It’s contagious⁵. When you see someone demonstrating kindness, you’re more inspired to replicate it yourself. So while one day, you might see someone struggling to open a door while they’re holding two coffees, the next you might see a stranger holding the door. And then the next day, you’re the one holding open a door, smiling, and feeling great

Here are a few easy ways you can start living a kinder life – and feel great while you’re at it:

• Send a text to a mate and let them know how much you appreciate their friendship and why
• Make a meal for someone and deliver it to their home
• Offer your seat on the train, tram or bus to someone on your morning commute
• Volunteer with a local community organisation
• Donate money to a cause you’re passionate about
• Smile and say hello to people you pass on your morning walk
• Write a letter to someone who’s made a positive difference in your life
• Compliment a friend or work colleague on something great they’ve done
• Hold the door for a stranger in a shop (and say thank you if someone holds the door for you!)
• Run an errand for someone you know needs help, like picking up their groceries or taking them to an appointment
• Bake a cake for your workmates
   

You can even be kind through AIA Vitality. Choose to give back your weekly Active Benefit to not-for-profit organisations like Black Dog Institute, Cancer Council and more.

Really, in a world that can feel particularly unkind at times, why wouldn’t you do your bit to make it a better place? Every small something makes a difference.

1. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/science-of-kindness.html
2. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_our_bodies_react_human_goodness
3. https://www.uhhospitals.org/Healthy-at-UH/articles/2020/10/the-science-behind-kindness
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471964/
5. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/kindness-contagion/

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.