Arbor Health and Life Publications

Chances are, you've heard about the power of kindness—the way a simple act can spread positivity to people around you. Did you know that practicing kindness is actually good for your health—both mentally and physically? It's true. It can be hard to choose kindness sometimes, especially in a world that doesn't seem to. But it's still worth it to try.

Here's why.

How healthy is kindness?

Practicing acts of kindness is a healthy habit. It boosts your endorphins—the feel-good chemicals in your body—and hormones like oxytocin, which help reduce stress, anxiety and pain; elevate your mood; and make you feel happier and more optimistic.

Plus, oxytocin triggers the release of nitric oxide, a chemical that may help:

• Lower blood pressure.
• Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Protect your brain from dementia.
• Reduce inflammation.
• Boost your immune system.
• Slow aging.

Research on volunteering has shown that the act of giving back can increase brain power by supporting the learning and memory centers in the area of the brain called the hippocampus. This can help you stay sharper as you age.

There's even a link between choosing kindness and having more self-confidence and a greater sense of purpose in life. This may be because spreading kindness helps build stronger relationships. And by choosing kindness, you're modeling compassion and gratitude for others, which can inspire them to follow suit.

Everyday ways to practice kindness

There are many ways to work kindness into your day. The biggest rewards often seem to come when you add social connection and spontaneity into the mix. For example, try asking a neighbor if they need help carrying their groceries. Or invite a new colleague to join you for lunch so you can get to know them better.

Kids can get practice leading with kindness too. For instance, when they're with friends, suggest that they put their phone away so they can interact with intention. Listening, nodding, practicing eye contact and offering thoughtful feedback all help to spread kindness (and strengthen friendships!).

Need more inspiration? Choose kindness in different ways throughout the day. Try things like:

• Asking co-workers if they'd like anything during your coffee run.
• Volunteering at a food bank.
• Helping someone study.
• Giving a loved one a hug.
• Listening to a meditation that's centered on loving-kindness.
• Writing someone a note of encouragement.

Go big or stay small—you can enjoy the health benefits of choosing kindness either way. Helping a friend move or holding the door open for a stranger offers the same wellness perks. So go ahead and choose kindness—and watch how good it makes you feel.

Tag! You're it!

Arbor Health-ers spread joy with random acts of kindness

Three times in the last year, Arbor Health's Community Wellness Committee initiated a Random Acts of Kindness effort, working on the knowledge that practicing kindness is good for your health. In fact, health leaders tell us that acting kindly provides mental and physical benefits for both the receiver and the giver.

With initial funding provided by Arbor Health's Employee Community Connection Committee, a modest amount of cash and a stack of stickers to be applied to the to-go coffee cups were delivered to area drive-thru coffee shops. Instructions were given for the barista to pay for the first drink ordered out of the Arbor Health employees' fund—and then suggest to the customer that they pay it forward by paying the cost of their own drink toward the next customer's tab. Of course, not everyone opted to pay for the order—when that happened, the barista turned back to the employees' cash contribution to restart the effort.

All of the cups during these transactions bore a sticker reading, "TAG! You're it! Someone did a random act of kindness for you. Now it's your turn to pay the kindness forward in your own way."

So, East Lewis County residents, it's your turn to initiate random acts of kindness. You don't need to wait to be the recipient to pay it forward. You can be the initiator—in coffee lines, at the snack bar for high school games, at the grocery store, wherever you are. And the kindness doesn't necessarily have to be financial gifts—smile at a stranger, compliment someone on their clothes, make a big show of opening the door for someone to give them the royal treatment. You can even bow if it makes you both smile. There are many ways to extend kindness. Start today!

Categories: Community