The Health Benefits of Serving Others and Practicing Kindness
It’s Not Just Emotional
Serving others can benefit your health. Have you ever experienced the feeling of well-being or satisfaction after helping another person? It turns out this isn’t simply an emotional response. Studies show that acts of service can actually benefit our overall health! And, what could be better? Getting healthier while helping others? It’s a great partnership!
At the Cedars Sinai medical facility in California, researchers are studying the science of kindness. In fact, the evidence clearly shows that those who practice gratitude, as well as regular acts of kindness, generally have greater feelings of contentment, overall well-being, and a positive mood.
Why Serving Others Feels Good
When we help others, our bodies respond by releasing several chemicals associated with well-being and social connection. Our bodies release a hormone called oxytocin as well as dopamine when we engage in random acts of kindness, or when serving others. But just one or two acts isn’t enough to sustain that hormone long-term. These acts need to be performed regularly to reap the greatest benefit. This practice is so powerful that it is even being utilized to treat anxiety, pain, and depression. When we change the state of our hearts, we are poised to create positive change around us with the happy result of also creating joy in our own lives.
Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” helps promote feelings of trust, connection, and bonding. It may also help reduce stress and support emotional wellness.
Dopamine is often referred to as the brain’s reward chemical. When we perform acts of kindness or help someone else, dopamine can create feelings of satisfaction, pleasure, and motivation.
Some researchers have also observed changes in other neurotransmitters and signaling compounds associated with mood, pain perception, and emotional well-being. This may help explain why helping others often leaves us feeling happier, calmer, and more connected.
The interesting thing is that these benefits don’t require grand gestures. Like many healthy habits, kindness works best when practiced consistently. Small daily actions can create meaningful improvements in emotional wellness, relationships, and overall health over time. Small acts of kindness performed consistently may have a positive impact on both the person receiving help and the person offering it.
Reducing stress through acts of kindness may also benefit gut health, since chronic stress is one of the biggest disruptors of the gut microbiome. Through the gut-brain axis, emotional wellness, social connection, and positive relationships can influence both mental and physical health.
Simple Ways for Serving Others Every Day
So, what are ways you can incorporate more kindness and service in your life? The great news is that acts of service don’t need to be complicated or time-consuming to realize the health benefits! It can be as simple as helping someone load groceries into their car or returning a cart for someone. It can be as easy as a smile or holding the door for someone. Below are a few simple ways to do it.
- Keep a gratitude journal.
- Send a note of encouragement to a friend.
- Volunteer in your community.
- Help a neighbor with a task.
- Offer a listening ear to someone who is struggling.
- Smile, hold a door, or perform small acts of service throughout the day.
These small actions may seem insignificant, but over time they can help strengthen social connections, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
If you want to create healthier habits that support emotional wellness, stress management, and overall health, grab a copy of The Healthy Habits Challenge.