Can Random Acts of Kindness Make You Happier?

When people are in a funk, usually they look to diets and exercise to get them feeling good again. But what if you could improve your mood, just by spreading a little more joy?

According to a new study, putting the well-being of others first, without expecting anything in return, stimulates the reward centers of the brain. And this leads to what they call a "helper's high." Here are some other kindness suggestions to help you be happier and healthier . . .

1. Volunteer. Find a cause that's important to you, and give them your time. Studies show that volunteering has been shown to minimize stress and improve depression.

2. Donate. If you have anything left over in your house that you aren't using, find a way to donate it to help someone else in need. Donating to others has been shown to reduce blood pressure and can even improve your heart health.

3. Give a genuine compliment to someone you care about. Researchers have found that being kind could boost happiness in as little as three days.

4. Overtip your delivery person. This brave soul is risking COVID just to bring you food, so it should be a no-brainer. 

But if you need more convincing, a new study found that being generous can actually work as a pain reliever. Regions of the brain that react to painful stimulation appear to be instantly deactivated by the experience of giving. 

(CNN)


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