M L WELLBEING
IS DOING GOOD , GOOD FOR US ? By Alison Quinn
Doing a good deed is obviously considered a positive . But do we actually benefit from being kind to others ?
Wanting to ‘ do good ’ is a thing most of us consider normal , we want to be able to do what we can to help others live a happier life , whether that ' s our children , partners , friends or parents , it ' s part of the human condition ; we are forever seeking ways we can live a life of with more positivity in it , that in turn helps us to feel more fulfilled and ultimately happier . From a very young age , socially and culturally we are taught that it is normal to show generosity and kindness . As children we are encouraged to share our toys , use manners and be kind to others . There ’ s even an international observance day dedicated to the cause : World Kindness Day , established in 1998 to inspire individuals to practise more compassion for the benefit of the greater good .
BUT WHY DOES DOING GOOD MAKE US FEEL SO GOOD ? Can you remember the last time you did something good . Think about it , how did it make you feel ? Maybe you complimented a stranger , chatted to someone in the queue at the till or went out of your way to help a friend . Reflect on in and remember how you felt . Pretty good , right ?
A study conducted by the United Health Group found that 94 per cent of people who did some form of volunteering reported an improvement in their mental health . A different study established that participants who were asked to complete just five acts of kindness a day said that they felt happier than those who didn ’ t . There is a definite link between doing good and feeling good . Let ’ s take a look ...
MENTAL HEALTH Lead Clinical Psychologist Dr Azza Aglan explained that “ when we are kind to one another , it gives us a feeling of belonging . Kindness transcends inequality , isolation and alienation ; it unlocks a sense of shared humanity and experience .”
“ Kindness makes us feel more connected to those around us ,” says Dr Azza . “ And , in turn , this triggers the release of dopamine , serotonin , oxytocin and endorphins . We call these our ‘ happy hormones ’ because they work together to promote feelings of trust , pleasure and empathy .”
PHYSICAL HEALTH Dr Aglan speaks of the important role these hormones play in supporting our physical health too : “ Not only are these hormones incredibly important for our psychological wellbeing , but they also act as our body ’ s natural pain and stress relievers . In the same way that exercise releases these crucial brain chemicals , so does practising kindness and compassion .”
That explains why this study found that older adults who volunteered for at least 200 hours a year were 40 per cent less likely to develop hypertension ( high blood pressure ) than those who didn ’ t . That ’ s less than one hour a day of doing good . For those incredible health benefits , why not consider being that bit more giving !
THE CYCLE OF KINDNESS When you perform one act of kindness , how you feel often results in a domino effect of doing more and more . An interesting study from 2012 found that just thinking about a good deed you ’ ve done can encourage you to do more of the same .
Dr Aglan calls this the ‘ cycle of kindness ’, explaining that when we ’ re kind to another person or a group of people it activates the brain ’ s reward system . “ Witnessing the impact an act of kindness can have is incredibly powerful . There ’ s a positive reinforcement that ’ s elicited when we do good , making us much more likely to repeat the behaviour again . Kindness cultivates a trusting society , encouraging us to reach out to others and perpetuate the current of compassion .”
This helps us to understand that the relationship between doing good and feeling good is so well-evidenced that so many more types of therapy keep compassion at their heart , they recognise that practising kindness is one of the best ways in which we can regulate our own emotions .
HOW CAN WE DO MORE GOOD ? When you know just how beneficial doing good is for all of us , we ’ re very keen to incorporate as many good deeds into our lives as we possibly can ! The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation have a list of fabulously creative and cost-free suggestions for ways we can all spread some joy including - text someone good morning or goodnight , start a fundraiser , find out something new about a co-worker , ask a senior about their past , plant a tree , all kinds of fun ways to share some love around , take a look for yourself .
You ’ re guaranteed to feel good , and you could make someone ’ s day in the process . That ’ s absolutely a win-win for me . The formula really is as simple as this : do good = feel good , let me know how you get on with it yourself ! merseylife . com 67