Did you know that being kind can provide you with a lot of perks besides feeling good? Find out more as we share about the top 5 health benefits of kindness.
At Warrior Strong Lifestyle 365 Academy, we take pride in our dedication to embracing a holistic journey in achieving one’s health goals. That’s why, besides sharing knowledge on how to jazz up a weight loss exercise routine, we thought of discussing the health benefits of kindness.
Kindness – whether given or received – can impact your overall wellbeing. While you might think that virtues only affect the soul and spirit, more and more studies argue that these can indeed influence physical and mental health. But how does that work exactly?
Let’s learn more about how putting the needs of others ahead of yours can help you achieve a healthier and happier version of yourself.
The Science of Kindness
Everyone is well familiar with the old adage, “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” According to studies, as children, we’re hard-wired to show kindness to others. Over time, we can develop this trait and turn it into a crucial part of our systems of beliefs. However, constant exposure to some factors, such as stress and trauma, can make one lose this innate virtue.
Sadly, without it in the picture, you might have difficulty relating to people around you, such as your family, friends, or even strangers. More importantly, the absence or lack of kindness and selflessness can prevent you from enjoying several health benefits such as:
- Releasing stress-fighting hormones
- Easing a troubled or anxious mind
- Lowering your blood cholesterol levels
- Experiencing helper’s high
- Reducing inflammation levels in the body
Now you might be shaking your head or raising your eyebrows, thinking that we’re just making these things up. However, we have scientific evidence to back each claim. Check out the essential health benefits of kindness below and their respective proof from studies of doctors and scientists.
#1. Effective stress management
At Warrior Strong Lifestyle 365 Academy, we emphasize the importance of having a well-rounded approach to one’s fitness journey. That’s why besides keeping a healthy diet and a great exercise routine, it’s equally important to pay close attention to several aspects of your mental health. For starters, how often do you look into your stress levels? Do you use specific stress management tactics?
It’s no secret that stress can do a lot of harm to your body, including:
- Weakening your immune system
- Increasing the production of stomach acids
- Intensifying headaches and migraines
- Constricting your blood vessels
- Increasing risk for cardiovascular diseases
Interestingly, researchers at Yale and UCLA reveal that making small gestures of kindness such as smiling and offering help can diffuse stress. A physician explains that kindness can stimulate the release of serotonin, a chemical that induces happiness and stabilizes mood.
#2. Easing an anxious or troubled mind
Anxiety is a common problem in the country. According to the latest reports, it affects about 40 million people in the USA. As it turns out, apart from yoga, breathing, exercising, and taking prescription drugs for anxiety, experiencing or showing kindness are also effective remedies for anxiety.
Christina Pay from the Utah University explains that relieving stress, showing, receiving, or witnessing acts of kindness can also help ease a troubled mind. It provides several surprising mental health benefits such as:
- Enhancing overall wellbeing by giving a sense of satisfaction and self-realization
- Boosting one’s resiliency through increasing serotonin release and production
- Improving one’s coping mechanisms by increasing the release of oxytocin, or the love and feel-good hormone
#3. Protecting your heart from damage
Oxytocin is a fascinating hormone. Aside from making you feel good and loved, it also plays a significant role in maintaining optimal blood pressure. When released, oxytocin tends to expand the blood vessels, reducing your blood pressure. Effectively, it protects your heart from damage and lowers your risk of developing health problems such as:
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Aortic aneurysm
- Kidney disease
- Strokes
- Peripheral arterial disease
#4. Experiencing altruistic emotions
Have you noticed how good it feels after lending a hand to someone in need? Experts refer to this as “helper’s high.” According to a National Institutes of Health study, doing something good like helping a stranger, donating money to charity, or showing small acts of random kindness boosts endorphin levels in the body.
Consequently, this specific chemical induces several effects on your body, including:
- Providing natural relief from pain
- Managing impacts of anxiety and depression
- Helping with weight loss routine
- Boosting one’s self-esteem
Aside from these benefits, helper’s high can also induce other positive feelings such as happiness and contentment. This is a big reason why most altruistic people feel the happiest!
#5. Reducing risk for inflammatory diseases
Inflammation can cause severe impacts to the body, such as DNA damage, internal scarring, and tissue damage. Chronic inflammation can also lead to several diseases like cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes. Thankfully, oxytocin helps combat inflammation and help you prevent or at least minimize your risk for such illnesses.
Showing kindness also stimulates and maintains the vagus nerve. The so-called wandering nerve regulates stress and improves mood. Additionally, it helps in digestion and protecting the body against pathogens and inflammation.
Join the Warrior Strong Lifestyle 365 Academy today!
A little bit of kindness can indeed go a long way. Apart from allowing you to touch someone’s life, it also helps you enjoy and appreciate yours much better. More importantly, it provides you with surprising health benefits, such as those we’ve mentioned above. The question now is, how will you start integrating kindness into various aspects of life?
By enrolling at the Warrior Strong Lifestyle 365 Academy, you can learn that and more. The course can teach you how to be kind to yourself by embracing every strength and flaw. We believe nurturing this kind of mindset is crucial to achieving one’s health goals.
More than a fitness program, the WSL 365 Academy, aims to develop a Warrior Strong mindset. It aims to help you crush old-school notions about fitness and approach your physical, mental, and spiritual transformation journey with more determination and vigor.
Join us at the Warrior Strong Lifestyle 365 Academy and experience a unique and memorable journey towards a healthier and happier life. Take advantage of our exclusive offers today!
About The Author
Warrior Strong Wellness
Warrior Strong Wellness provides innovative and high quality transformational supplements and raises awareness and funds to fight childhood cancer by giving a portion of our proceeds to childhood cancer research. In our weekly blogs, we share wisdom about wellness and living a Warrior Strong lifestyle.