The holidays can be as stressful as they are joyful. Packed schedules, tight budgets, and family dynamics often overshadow the festive spirit. But science suggests there’s a simple antidote: kindness.
The Science Behind Kindness
Acts of kindness trigger the release of “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” reduces stress by counteracting cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This phenomenon, known as the “helper’s high,” creates a psychological and physiological boost that benefits both the giver and receiver (Dossey, 2018). That boost includes but is not limited to:
- Mental Boost: When helping others, you experience an exhilarating burst of energy and happiness, followed by a profound sense of calm—like a natural, compassion-fueled endorphin rush (Dossey, 2018).
- Physiological Boost: Your body responds to generosity by triggering feel-good neurotransmitters in your brain, reducing stress, and boosting immune function (Dossey, 2018).
- Transformative Impact: Generosity transcends mere action, offering deep psychological benefits that reduce self-centeredness, increase interconnectedness, and potentially enhance overall life satisfaction and wellness (Dossey, 2018).
Kindness also has a ripple effect. A University of Cambridge study found that witnessing or experiencing kindness increases the likelihood of paying it forward by 278 percent (Chancellor et al., 2017). This effect strengthens community bonds and spreads goodwill far beyond the original act.
7 Days of Kindness Challenge
Transform your holiday experience with this simple-to-follow challenge pulled from some of the content in my book, Be the Sun Not the Salt.
- Day 1: Smile at a Stranger and See What Happens
When passing by a stranger, look at them and smile. A gesture as small as this can make all the difference to someone else. - Day 2: Speak Fluent Gratitude
Write a gratitude letter to someone who’s dear to you. Make sure you are specific about why you are grateful for them. - Day 3: Light Someone Up
Highlight someone for the good they did recently - Day 4: Fill in the Potholes
When you feel a nudge to show up for someone, do it. - Day 5: Show You Care
Send a voice note, check in on a loved one, or be extra kind to anyone you cross paths with. - Day 6: Be an Olympic Listener
Limit distraction in your interactions today. (Put your phone down and ask follow-up questions.) - Day 7: Do All the Good You Can
Doing good doesn’t have to be complicated. Spot the easiest good you can do and do it.
Reflect and Connect
As you go through the challenge, reflect on the experience: How did giving make you feel? How has someone else’s kindness impacted you? Research from the University of Oxford shows that even small acts of kindness can significantly boost happiness levels (Rowland & Curry, 2019).
Involve friends and family in your acts of kindness to amplify the impact and strengthen your relationships. After all, the holidays are about connection, and kindness is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together.
Conclusion
This holiday season, let kindness be your antidote to stress. By performing small acts of altruism, you’ll not only spread cheer but also improve your mental health in profound, science-backed ways. Make this the season of giving—both to others and to yourself.
This post was originally published on here
