Kindness helps the world and your health

Kindness is doing things for others without expecting anything in return. It can be as simple as holding the door for somebody, offering a compliment, paying for coffee for the person behind you in line or volunteering.  

Did you know that in addition to often improving the atmosphere around you, kindness can also improve your health? Being kind: 

• Produces a hormone called oxytocin that leads to your heart’s blood vessels opening wider and reducing your blood pressure.  

• Improves your mood through a release of serotonin, a natural compound that improves the way you feel. 

• Reduces pain by releasing endorphins. 

There is also research that suggests being kind reduces stress, anxiety and depression.  

If you are not naturally inclined to commit acts of kindness, Dr. Ritchie Davidson from the University of Wisconsin has compared being kind to training for a sport or job. That with practice, anyone can become kinder.  

“There is enough research to indicate being kind is good for your health. However, even if being kind did not improve your health, it is something we should all try to do more,” said Megan Miller, D.O. board-certified family medicine, Genesis Primary Care.