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Science has shown that kindness improves our happiness and health on genetic, physical, mental, and emotional levels. Learn more in this podcast, part two of two!
Transcript:
Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2-ish minutes a day, through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life.
I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and today we are talking about the science of kindness. Some people out there will say that kindness isn’t a science, but I am here to tell you that they are wrong and I have proof. Today, I am going to give you three scientific examples of how kindness is scientific.
Example #1 is that kindness is in our genetic wiring.
Studies have shown there are 15 levels or variants in the oxytocin receptor gene. Remember, oxytocin is the hormone that promotes compassion, kindness, and empathy. These levels have lighter variants, the kinder variants, and darker, the less inclined to be kind variants. What does this mean? This research shows us that kindness is in our genetic wiring.
Example #2 is that acts of kindness boost happiness.
The National Library of Medicine performed a 7-day experiment on how specific kindness activities affected happiness levels. They compared acts of kindness to strong social ties, weak social ties, novel acts of self-kindness, and observing acts of kindness against a control group with no acts. That was a mouthful, huh?
Well, the results indicated that
This shows that acts or observance of kindness to yourself or someone else, stranger or friend, boosted happiness.
And Example #3 is that performing acts of kindness provides physical, emotional, and mental health benefits.
Studies have shown that performing a SINGLE act of kindness floods your body and the recipient’s body with feel-good hormones that make you calmer, happier, and healthier. They include:
o Serotonin which heals wounds, increases calmness, and promotes relaxation
o Endorphins which reduces pain
o Oxytocin which reduces blood pressure
These same studies have also shown that performing acts of kindness can:
o Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
o Reduces aches and pains
o Increases confidence
o Increases longevity
Living longer, feeling better, and being more relaxed just from one little act a day! I don't think that it gets much better than that.
To finish out this episode, I am going to leave you with a quote and challenge you to think about how you can spread kindness. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”- Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller.
So go out there and spread some kindness today, because, remember, kindness is contagious.
Get Everyday Happiness delivered to your inbox by subscribing at: https://www.katiejefcoat.com/happiness
And, let’s connect on social at @everydayhappinesswithkatie and join the community on the hashtags #IntentionalMargins and #everydayhappinesswithkatie on Instagram
Links: https://onamission.bio/everydayhappiness/
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Science has shown that kindness improves our happiness and health on genetic, physical, mental, and emotional levels. Learn more in this podcast, part two of two!
Transcript:
Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2-ish minutes a day, through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life.
I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and today we are talking about the science of kindness. Some people out there will say that kindness isn’t a science, but I am here to tell you that they are wrong and I have proof. Today, I am going to give you three scientific examples of how kindness is scientific.
Example #1 is that kindness is in our genetic wiring.
Studies have shown there are 15 levels or variants in the oxytocin receptor gene. Remember, oxytocin is the hormone that promotes compassion, kindness, and empathy. These levels have lighter variants, the kinder variants, and darker, the less inclined to be kind variants. What does this mean? This research shows us that kindness is in our genetic wiring.
Example #2 is that acts of kindness boost happiness.
The National Library of Medicine performed a 7-day experiment on how specific kindness activities affected happiness levels. They compared acts of kindness to strong social ties, weak social ties, novel acts of self-kindness, and observing acts of kindness against a control group with no acts. That was a mouthful, huh?
Well, the results indicated that
This shows that acts or observance of kindness to yourself or someone else, stranger or friend, boosted happiness.
And Example #3 is that performing acts of kindness provides physical, emotional, and mental health benefits.
Studies have shown that performing a SINGLE act of kindness floods your body and the recipient’s body with feel-good hormones that make you calmer, happier, and healthier. They include:
o Serotonin which heals wounds, increases calmness, and promotes relaxation
o Endorphins which reduces pain
o Oxytocin which reduces blood pressure
These same studies have also shown that performing acts of kindness can:
o Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
o Reduces aches and pains
o Increases confidence
o Increases longevity
Living longer, feeling better, and being more relaxed just from one little act a day! I don't think that it gets much better than that.
To finish out this episode, I am going to leave you with a quote and challenge you to think about how you can spread kindness. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”- Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller.
So go out there and spread some kindness today, because, remember, kindness is contagious.
Get Everyday Happiness delivered to your inbox by subscribing at: https://www.katiejefcoat.com/happiness
And, let’s connect on social at @everydayhappinesswithkatie and join the community on the hashtags #IntentionalMargins and #everydayhappinesswithkatie on Instagram
Links: https://onamission.bio/everydayhappiness/
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