The Science of Kindness, and How You Can Help!

Kindness and Compassion

We all know that kindness is contagious, but not the scary way that we’ve grown accustomed to in the past year – but in a good way!

Just like with any other skill, kindness takes practice! When we take the time to practice kindness, we are effectively strengthening our compassion “muscle.” Kindness is expressing compassion to others through a variety of selfless actions or a selfless mindset. Some examples include:

• Putting on your mask when running errands to protect your community, even if you’re not at high-risk or already received your vaccine.
• Support Asian American and Pacific Islander communities facing a surge of violence by donating to organizations dedicated to uplifting these communities!
• Find a local organization and volunteer within your community, or volunteer with your local health department vaccination site.

The Science of Kindness

This past year has shown how we all have the choice to extend warmth and generosity to everyone around us, but did you know that there are some real health benefits to extending kindness towards others? Here are some of the benefits:

• Witnessing kindness in action helps produce oxytocin, a hormone that lowers blood pressure and boosts heart health.
• Engaging in kind acts produces endorphins, which make you feel happier AND act as a natural painkiller.
• Compassionate people have reduced cortisol (AKA the stress hormone) and have increased feelings of self-worth!
• One study showed that individuals 55 and older who volunteered for multiple organizations were more likely to live longer over five years than those that didn’t volunteer.

The Benefits of Charitable Giving

Have you ever wondered why you get giddy when giving someone a gift? Or why you feel “lighter” after giving someone a helping hand? It turns out kindness gets you high (not that high)!

When you are empathetic to others, your brain releases neurochemicals that improve your sense of well-being, also known as the “helper’s high”, defined as the healing power of doing good. Your brain’s pleasure and reward centers light up as if you were the one receiving kindness, not giving it.

Here are more reasons to give!

• Support and strengthen your connection to your community
• Lower your taxes
• Improve civic engagement

Invest in Kindness Today!

At The Be Kind People Project, every donation makes a big difference. We prioritize youth development and work with schools to support students’ social and emotional learning, academic achievement, and overall wellness. A donation to The Be Kind People Project is an investment in a generation of respectful, responsible, and caring citizens and leaders.

Here are three ways you can help:

• Donate now through April 6^th to celebrate Arizona Gives Day, click here for more information!
• Set up a reoccurring monthly donation on our website (or make a one-time donation).
• Redirect your Arizona taxes by making a tax credit donation, click here to learn more!