We all want to look and feel good, but did you know studies have shown that people who work to make others happier experience better mental and physical health. 2020 has been quite a year, and research done this year has shown that helping others also alleviates worry, concern, and anxiety. During times of crisis, people often begin performing random acts of kindness because doing good deeds make you feel more in control due to the release of dopamine and endorphins in your brain.
Recent medical and psychological studies also show that good deeds can help your body stay healthier! Saliva in people who show compassion to others contain more immunoglobulin A, an antibody that works in your body to fight infection. Also, people that show generosity and kindness to others have better emotional health, with less stress and more calm. So doing good doesn’t just help who you are giving to, but it also can be beneficial to the giver.
It’s apparent based on all these medical and psychological studies that when you make a point to help someone else, you get a mental break from your own problems. Volunteering, giving, donating, or performing acts of kindness help you feel more connected, which has a positive impact on your mental, physical, and emotional health and wellness. So today, we encourage you to perform an act of kindness, small or large, to help others – and yourself! Whether it’s helping someone with their groceries, volunteering for a charity, or a spontaneous act like paying for the coffee of the person behind you, acts of kindness will provide a boost in your well-being!