{"id":14628,"date":"2022-11-09T10:32:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T15:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/?p=14628"},"modified":"2024-01-27T05:23:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T10:23:05","slug":"small-acts-of-kindness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/small-acts-of-kindness\/","title":{"rendered":"The Science Behind Small Acts of Kindness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cIt\u2019s better to give than receive.\u201d This saying couldn\u2019t be truer, especially when it comes to kindness. Small acts of kindness are like a gift\u2014<\/em>bringing joy to both the giver and receiver. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being kind can be simple. Yet, it might not be something you intentionally think about. But once you experience the tangible benefits, being kind might just become a priority in your daily life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that if you perform just one small act of kindness a day, it not only reduces your stress, anxiety and depression, but your body is flooded with the same hormones that make you and the person you\u2019ve helped calmer, healthier and happier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this fact is actually backed up by science<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kindness Is Chemical <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The reason a small act of kindness makes us feel good is that it physically and energetically affects us. When you make someone smile, laugh or feel gratitude<\/a>, your body mimics those sensations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because kindness boosts chemicals within your body. Oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins and dopamine are all released in your brain when you are kind. Oxytocin<\/a> plays a role in forming social bonds and trusting other people. Dopamine, on the other hand, gives us a feeling of euphoria and is related to the reward system in our brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serotonin helps regulate your mood and emotions while endorphins are known to increase energy and decrease pain. So when it comes to being kind, your brain sends a signal to your body to smile in pleasure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a catch, though. Research shows that a single act of kindness isn\u2019t going to cut it. Any small act of kindness needs to become a regular habit. Only when you practice kindness on a daily basis can you keep those feel-good hormones circulating in your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Supports Kindness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So how do we make kindness the norm, not the exception? We explore three layers of kindness below and how these support the daily practice of being kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Small Acts of Kindness: Empathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Kindness is tied to our innate capacity toward empathy and almost all of us have this default in us.  Human brains are soft wired for empathy, which is the ability to put ourselves in other people\u2019s shoes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to leading neuroscientist Marco Iacoboni, humans have a type of brain cell that \u201cmirrors\u201d what we perceive from others. This means that when you observe someone who is experiencing anger, joy or frustration, you feel what they are experiencing thanks to mirror neurons in your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Small Acts of Kindness: Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We humans are also wired to connect. Throughout history, there has always been a need to build a village\u2014whether it’s for survival, healing, raising children or purpose through social connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It turns out that we are keener to cooperate than to compete. A surprising fact in today\u2019s society. Cooperation is essential at work, in sports and in our personal lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you offer encouragement, lend a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on, in effect, your kindness benefits others and creates a  sense of belonging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small act of kindness can be a hug, a compliment, paying it forward by buying someone coffee or talking to a stranger. It\u2019s as easy as asking someone how they are, helping out a neighbor with groceries or listening to a golden-ager who simply wants to talk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Small Acts of Kindness: Compassion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Even though they are similar, there is a big difference between compassion and kindness. Compassion helps us connect  with others and mend relationships. Compassion takes empathy one step further as it harbors a desire to help others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meditation has been proven to be one of the best ways to cultivate compassion\u2014toward yourself and to others. When you meditate frequently, your nervous system becomes calmer and you relax. You are inviting more love into your energy space and as a result, you are strengthening your inclination to be kind, compassionate and empathetic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can be compassionate by wishing people well and sending out love to loved ones or even strangers through a loving-kindness meditation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doing Good Is Good for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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No small act of kindness goes unnoticed. Here are nine science-backed ways to improve your well-being through kindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n