In this day and age, it can be difficult to stay positive amidst all the negativity in the world. Fortunately, research has shown that being kind to others can actually make us feel better about ourselves. Studies have found that performing acts of kindness can improve mental health more than other therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or cognitive reappraisal. Let’s take a closer look at why being kind can make us feel better.
How Being Kind Helps Mental Health
A study conducted in 2018 divided participants into three groups: an “acts of kindness” group, a CBT group, and a cognitive reappraisal group. The acts of kindness group was asked to perform random acts of kindness on a regular basis, while the CBT and cognitive reappraisal groups were asked to plan social activities and practice cognitive reappraisal respectively.
At the end of the study period, all three groups showed an increase in life satisfaction and a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms. However, the acts of kindness group felt more connected to other people after the intervention period than either of the other two groups. This is because helping someone creates a more purposeful social connection than what occurs by simply being around other people. It also helps people take their minds off their own depression and anxiety symptoms and focus on doing something good for someone else instead, which can lead to feeling better about oneself.
Another benefit of practising kindness is that it encourages us to step out of our comfort zone by engaging with people who are different from us or who have different perspectives on life. Not only does this expand our worldview but it also gives us a chance to develop meaningful relationships with people we may not have otherwise interacted with.
All in all, being kind has numerous benefits both for ourselves and those around us. It helps create meaningful connections between individuals while also providing relief from depression or anxiety symptoms by focusing on helping others rather than dwelling on our own issues. Parents should encourage their children to practice random acts of kindness so they can experience these benefits firsthand!
Reference: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2022.2154695?journalCode=rpos20
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