Here are just some of the science-supported reasons why kindness can be so life-changing:

 

• Kindness triggers dopamine in the brain, one of the key DOSE hormones. Dopamine is central to reward and motivation, and just like a drug, the kinder you are, the more acts or even just thoughts of kindness that you engage in, the more shots of dopamine you get, the more you want to do it again, and so that incredibly valuable virtuous circle continues.
• When you receive positive feedback from your acts of kindness, like a thank-you, that feeds into the same cycle and makes you want to do more of it.
• Kindness is contagious and acts of kindness have been shown to trigger other people to think about being kinder too. And studies have shown that even just witnessing other people’s acts of kindness can have a similar effect.
• Kindness is believed to be the key ingredient for another critically important pillar – happiness. The four dose hormones – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins – are key to improving happiness. And kindness triggers all four.
• Some studies have shown that kindness, and especially being kind to yourself, can also help reduce depression and anxiety.
• Kindness is great for your physical health. It’s been shown to help reduce stress, which can be a long-term killer, improve your immune system, and help you live longer. It’s also good for the heart, lowering blood pressure, and can also act as a natural painkiller.
• Kind people tend to be more liked and popular, are more admired and respected, and have more and longer-lasting friendships and relationships. Which in turn triggers lots of additional lifelong benefits.
• Kindness increases self-esteem and self-confidence, which is great for building friendships, careers, and getting the best in life.
• When kindness is connected to things like purpose, in other words you find a meaning and purpose from being kind to the world, studies have shown that that can help you live longer too. People who have a purpose in life tend to be happier, healthier, and live longer.
• Kindness, an inclination to care for others, is essential to the success of the world and of communities. So by simply being kind you’re helping to make the entire world better too. Ever noticed that when there’s a major catastrophe or crisis, like a flood or a storm, people are much nicer and more helpful to each other? And how we wish it would always be like that?
• Yet had other studies have shown that kind people are more productive and creative at work, which usually results in them doing better overall, and also make for great leaders. People like kind people, and people like to follow kind people.
• And being kind to yourself is great for your own mental and physical health. Teaching yourself not to be so hard on yourself, learning to be more resilient, taking things in your stride, being more forgiving of your mistakes or failings and so on.