We have all most likely seen newsfeeds, and clips on social media of people performing random acts of kindness. The definition of a random act of kindness or RAOK is a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger for no other reason than to make them happier. So, what makes a random act of kindness so special and why is it good for us?
Kindness produces Serotonin
Serotonin is the chemical the brain produces to help regulate mood, social behaviour, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire and function. Basically, a RAOK makes you simply feel good, it boosts your body’s healing system and acts as an anti-depressant. A lack of serotonin is widely believed to be the main cause of a lot of depression and anxiety related illnesses, so a boost of Serotonin is always welcome.
But not only does a RAOK produce serotonin in the giver, it also boosts Serotonin levels in the receiver and all those people who witness it whether at the scene or through a video on social media.
Kindness causes a ripple effect.
The RAOK doesn’t just stop with the people who witness it. Studies have shown that someone who witnesses a RAOK is much more likely to perform one themselves and will commonly go through three degrees of separation. This means that friends and family will also benefit from the good mood felt through witnessing a kind act. Kindness has been shown to build stronger family and community ties as receiving a RAOK often inspires people to replicate this act. Kindness has been known to end conflicts, build bridges and inspire people to grow. Surveys have shown that companies who are kind to their employees have greater staff retention and are more productive.
Kindness produces Endorphins
Endorphins are the bodies natural painkillers and they are 3 times more powerful than morphine. Better still endorphins are free, don’t require a prescription, and have no unpleasant side effects. Not only do endorphins block pain but they also produce pleasure. Athletes often talk about an Endorphin rush when their muscles start to ache during a tough run or a hard game. Sportsman in contact sports such as rugby often talk about how feeling pain produces an endorphin rush which numbs the pain until many hours after a game.
Kindness produces Oxytocin
Oxytocin is the love hormone, it’s what we feel when we love someone. Small bursts of oxytocin have been shown to increase social bonding, produces an immediate calming effect, increase trust and generosity, strengthens the immune system and boosts virility. It has been often though that oxytocin is just created when in a loving relationship or having sex. However new studies have found that Oxytocin is produced whenever two people make a connection no matter how brief.
Barbara Fredrickson, the psychologist best known for her work on positive emotions, uses the phrase “micro-moments of love” in which she claims that whenever two people connect with each other they experience a momentary feeling of love. This can be two complete strangers striking up a conversation or someone performing a RAOK to another person.
Kindness reduces Aging
Kindness process twice the amount of DHEA which slows down the act of aging. Kindness also reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, by 23%. Basically, people who regularly perform RAOK not only live longer but their lives are less stressful. Sonya Lyubomirsky, a leading researcher on happiness, cites kindness as one of the key drivers to living a happier lifestyle. Her studies have shown that kind people find it easier to find and perform tasks that make them happy and appreciate their lifestyle and surroundings a lot more.
Summary
Johann Hari in his books and You tube Videos talks a lot about how addiction, depression and anxiety are often the result of people not being able to connect with each other and feelings of isolation.
An act of kindness no matter how small creates a moment of connection, another human has felt that someone cares about them and in that brief moment their world has changed. In that moment they don’t feel isolated, they feel that there is another human that has taken the time to brighten their day. But it’s not just the recipient who feels this, a RAOK offers the perpetrator that moment of connection too, producing chemicals that not only feel good but offer the chance of a longer happier life. It begs the question, why do we often find it so difficult to perform a RAOK, and why are we not promoting them as a health benefit?
Interested in a 7-day RAOK challenge?
Then why not join me in the following:
Monday: Compliment one thing you like to three people you meet during the day
Tuesday: Write a hand written thank you card to someone you see regularly (a colleague perhaps) thanking them for something they have done
Wednesday: Say good morning to everyone you meet at work or whilst out shopping.
Thursday: Pick up some litter and put it in the bin on your way to work or a daily activity
Friday: Use people’s names when talking to people at the canteen, café or supermarket.
Saturday: Place an uplifting note in a library book or a book being donated to a charity shop
Sunday: Take flowers to a friend or someone in your family.
Thank you to Steve (an Urban member) who owns 4dlife Coaching for this article. https://4dlifecoaching.co.uk/