Believe it or not, acts of kindness, done on a regular basis, will actually make you healthier — and that goes double for your brain! It’s a scientific fact!

Here’s my definition of kindness: “Helpful, generous, considerate, acts done without expecting anything in return.” When you do this, your body goes through physical and chemical changes that positively affect your brain and you heart.

So, what happens? Warm-fuzzies, feel-good, and happiness hormones are released, along with pain-killing endorphins. Blood pressure lowers, inflammation reduces, and your cortisol level (stress hormones) decreases. That’s big!

Chronic illnesses, like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and others can take stress to new level, not to mention day-to-day situations. Knowing that doing kind things for others can help us cope better with physical challenges is huge. Experts now place Acts of Kindness in the stress-relief toolbox as exercise, meditation, and therapy. It’s considered an antidote, acting as a buffer, lowering cortisol and blood pressure, reducing pain, anxiety and depression while boosting the immune system.

There are two (2) areas of the brain that specifically benefit from being kind:

• • your hippocampus (learning and memory center);
  • your amygdala (where anxiety, worry, fear, and depression reside)

In one study, volunteers who helped others learn or improve in something either slowed the hippocampus’ natural aging process or actually improved (enlarged) it. Another study found that ‘kind acts’ became a ‘dimmer switch’ for anxiety and depression.

You should also know that ‘kind acts’ are NOT just for other people — you also need to be kind to yourself. A good rule of thumb is: “If I wouldn’t say it to a good friend, I shouldn’t say it to myself.” Be yourself and give yourself some slack.

And here’s some good news: Your brain responds the same way, whether the kind act is small or grandiose, expensive or not costing a cent. Check out 10 acts that could become habits:

• • hold the door open for someone 🚪
  • smile at strangers 😊
  • say “thank you” regularly and sincerely 🙏
  • do volunteer work 🤝
  • compliment regularly and sincerely 💬👍
  • teach a skill 📚🧑‍🏫
  • invite someone to dinner 🍽️🥂
  • hold the elevator for someone 🛗
  • call/socialize with an elderly person 📞👵👴
  • run an errand to help out a friend 🏃‍♂️🛒👫

Working acts of kindness into your lifestyle is a “win-win” that will pay off for years to come. For your brain and community, it’ll be the gift that keeps on giving.

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