Random Acts of Kindness...

Some of the most central and important components of our yoga practice are to be compassionate, grateful, loving, kind, and to care for ourselves and others.

However, every now and again, our faith in humanity gets a little shaken, and it becomes difficult to practice these positive emotions! (For me, this particularly happens when someone does not wave at you for pulling over in your car to let them past! Grrrr!)

Then, something happens to restore your faith in humanity again – namely, a “random act of kindness”. Someone does or says something that just makes you feel better about life.

This happened to me last week when a friend rang my doorbell with a little gift they had bought me purely because it reminded them of me!  <3

When researching random acts of kindness, I stumbled across the “random acts of kindness foundation” - https://www.randomactsofkindness.org

Here I found out that:

1) Kindness is teachable  - “It’s kind of like weight training… people can actually build up their compassion ‘muscle’ and respond to others’ suffering with care and a desire to help” says Dr. Ritchie Davidson, University of Wisconsin.
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2) Kindness is contagious - The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to “pay it forward.” This means one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people!

3) Kindness Increases:

• THE LOVE HORMONE

Witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, occasionally referred to as the ‘love hormone’ which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re in anxious or shy in a social situation.

• ENERGY

Studies have shown that people feel stronger and more energetic after helping others; many also report feeling calmer and less depressed, with increased feelings of self-worth.

• HAPPINESS

A 2010 Harvard Business School survey of happiness in 136 countries found that people who are altruistic—in this case, people who were generous financially, such as with charitable donations—were happiest overall.

• LIFESPAN

“People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.” - Christine Carter, Author of “Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents”.

• PLEASURE

Research has shown that when you are kind to another person, your brain’s pleasure and reward centres light up, as if you were the recipient of the good deed, not the giver. This phenomenon is called the “helper’s high.”

• SEROTONIN

Like most medical antidepressants, kindness stimulates the production of serotonin. This feel-good chemical heals your wounds, calms you down, and makes you happy!

4) Kindness Decreases:
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• PAIN

Engaging in acts of kindness produces endorphins—the brain’s natural painkiller!

• STRESS

Perpetually kind people have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population!

• ANXIETY

A study carried out by the University of British Columbia found that a group of highly socially anxious individuals who performed at least six acts of kindness a week, showed a significant increase in positive moods and relationship satisfaction, and a decrease in social avoidance after just one month.

• DEPRESSION

Research has also shown that when we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self- realization and physical health is significantly improved. Mortality is delayed, depression is reduced and well-being and good fortune are increased.

• BLOOD PRESSURE

Committing acts of kindness lowers blood pressure. According to Dr. David R. Hamilton, acts of kindness create emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and, therefore, oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotective” hormone. It protects the heart by lowering blood pressure.

So there we have it!

Be kind. Think kind. Stay Kind. It will make the world a happier, healthier place!

Namaste!
xxx
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