Aesop is reported to have said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” I love this quote because it doesn’t matter whether the act is large or small, random or intended; all forms of kindness can have a profound effect on the health of the giver, receiver, and observer.
In fact, some researchers believe we are “hardwired” for kindness.
Our bodies come equipped with a quartet of feel-good hormones: oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Incredibly, each of these is activated during an encounter with kindness. The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in the body, literally warms up the heart when stimulated. This produces oxytocin, the “soothing” or “love” hormone. When released into the brain, it affects our emotional, cognitive, and social behaviours, contributing to relaxation, trust, and psychological stability.
Serotonin helps us to feel significant and important. Dopamine encourages positive attitudes and behaviour. Endorphins alleviate anxiety and depression, diminishing physical pain. Working together, they boost our physical and emotional wellbeing, strengthening our immune systems while decreasing disease and disorders.
Fascinated by this, I turned to my daughter-in-law Heather, who recently had an experience that left her with similar feelings.
“After briefly mentioning to my neighbour my need of a clothes iron,” Heather told me, “I received a text from her saying that irons were on sale and could she pick one up for me? With four kids in tow, she still made me a priority! I was overwhelmed that she had paid such close attention to what I had shared and took the time to check out this item for me. This left me feeling thought of, important, and worthy of her time and effort. It may not have been a big deal to her, but it sure was to me!”
My friend Roseanne Friesen from Steinbach had a similar experience when she went out to eat with her family one evening.
“Neil and I had taken our family to a Winnipeg restaurant to celebrate our child’s eighteenth birthday,” Rosanne told me. “We were overwhelmed with emotion when told a fellow diner had paid our bill! We looked around to say thank you, but this person had left. I was moved to tears.”
She goes on to say, “It was not a small bill. We all felt incredibly blessed. This has had a profound impact on our family!”
Kindness, although a human quality, rises above mere ego. With no need of payback, it instead kindles a desire within the recipient to “pay it forward.” Kindness does, however, require an action to realize its potential. Actions can be as simple as smiling at a stranger, paying for someone’s coffee, volunteering your time, donating blood, or helping a neighbour.
If experiencing the many benefits of kindness results in greater physical and mental wellbeing and a more positive outlook on life, may we all avail ourselves of this incredible gift.
