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at least six times a week. The acts of research shows that when we give of
kindness included things like hold- ourselves, especially if we start young,
ing the door open for someone, doing everything from life satisfaction to self-
chores for other people, donating to realization and physical health is signifi-
charity, and buying lunch for a friend. cantly improved. Mortality is delayed,
The researchers found that doing nice depression is reduced and well-being
things for people led to a significant and good fortune are increased. [4]
increase in people’s positive moods. It
also led to an increase in relationship Monica Advani, the director and owner
satisfaction and a decrease in social of the Global Montessori Preschool
avoidance in socially anxious individu- in Westwood, teaches kindness to her
als. [1] children beginning at a very young age.
Whenever she notices one child doing a
“People who engage in kind acts be- random act of kindness to another, she
come happier over time,” says Sonja writes it in the kindness book. During
Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., a professor of line time, she will read it and thank
psychology at the University of Cali- those children involved with the positive
fornia, Riverside. “When you are kind action. She says, “this motivates and
to others, you feel good as a person — inspires other children to do the same.”
more moral, optimistic, and positive,” The moral of the story is to be kind and
she says. Lyubomirsky has studied hap- do kind acts for others. You can benefit
piness for over 20 years. Her research, your heart, reduce anxiety, lower blood
presented at the recent annual meeting pressure, and simply be a happier hu-
of the Society for Personality and Social man being. Who wouldn’t want that?
Psychology in New Orleans, found that This blog was inspired by my 11-year-
performing other positive acts once a old daughter and is dedicated to all of
week led to the most happiness. [2]
those people who helped me with her
According to Dr. David R. Hamilton, wheelchair. You know who you are.
acts of kindness create an emotional Thank you very much for your kindness!
warmth, which releases a hormone
known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the
release of a chemical called nitric oxide, References:
which dilates the blood vessels. This 1. http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/
reduces blood pressure and, therefore, emotional-health/doing-kind-acts-reduces-
oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotec- anxiety-study
tive” hormone. It protects the heart by 2. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/
lowering blood pressure. [3] news/articles/2013/01/24/acts-of-kindness-
can-make-you-happier
Researcher Stephen Post of Case 3. http://drdavidhamilton.com/
Western Reserve University School of 4. http://blog.case.edu/case-news/2007/06/01/
Medicine serves as president of the In- postbook
stitute for Research on Unlimited Love,
which conducts and funds research on
altruism, compassion and service. His Reprinted with permission of the author.