Enhancing brain health through five actions of benevolence
Kindness and positive social behaviours have been scientifically proven to prolong life, reduce stress, increase happiness, and decrease anxiety.
Prolong Life and Improve Health
Generosity and acts of kindness, particularly towards close social connections, are linked to longer and healthier lives. Studies show that people who maintain strong social relationships and engage in kind behaviour have slower brain aging and improved longevity. For example, one Harvard study found that optimistic individuals—who often engage in positive social behaviours—lived 11% to 15% longer and had better cardiovascular health.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Acts of kindness trigger neurochemical responses such as dopamine release, which improves mood and motivation and may buffer stress and anxiety. Secure social bonds resulting from kindness lower stress markers and slow cognitive decline in aging, helping regulate anxiety.
Increase Happiness
Happiness and health are strongly tied to nurturing relationships and kindness. People who frequently engage in social kindness maintain what is called “social fitness,” analogous to physical fitness, improving psychological well-being and sustained happiness. Positive behaviours foster optimism, which is linked to better quality of life, reduced anxiety, and stronger immunity.
A Study on Kindness and Dopamine
In a study, a medication that increases dopamine levels in the brain was provided to participants before being asked to split money between themselves and a stranger. Those that were medicated displayed more kindness and were more likely to split the money equally.
Improving Mood and Decreasing Anxiety
Improved social connection and an increase in feel-good brain chemicals can contribute to the reduction of anxiety symptoms. On World Kindness Day, making a conscious effort to be more kind to others and to yourself can improve your mood. Thinking kind thoughts and wishing people well in social situations help lower anxiety, and engaging in acts of kindness for 4 weeks can lead to a decrease in anxiety symptoms.
In summary, kindness fosters neurochemical changes, social support, and optimism, all contributing to measurable health benefits including longer life, reduced stress, elevated happiness, and decreased anxiety. The evidence combines longitudinal studies, neurochemical research, and large population health data confirming these effects.
- Engaging in acts of kindness may improve brain health, as stronger social relationships and kindness have been associated with slower brain aging and increased longevity, as demonstrated in a Harvard study.
- Pursuing careers in health-and-wellness, mental-health, or personal-growth fields could provide opportunities to help others and positively impact their lives, reducing stress, anxiety, and promoting happiness.
- Embracing fitness-and-exercise, education-and-self-development, and finance can facilitate the development of social connections through team sports, clubs, or workshops, thereby offering additional mental health benefits.
- Acts of kindness in the workplace, such as cooperation and teamwork, can create a positive environment that enhances both mental and physical health, boosting overall employee well-being and job satisfaction.
- In addition to being kind to others, practicing self-care and nurturing a positive relationship with oneself serves to enhance personal-growth and improve overall well-being, fostering a balanced life.
