Recent research has identified the traits that define true strength in a person, with kindness and compassion coming out on top. The research, conducted by Soft & Gentle[i], found that 43 per cent consider an act of kindness to be a sign of strength.
Be kind
Clinical Psychologist, Dr Emma Gray looks at the notion of kindness and tells us why it can be also be beneficial for your health:
Human beings are born with an immense capacity for kindness because it is one of the things that makes us so successful as a species. Kindness connects and binds us to one another and we are stronger and more successful together than we are alone.
So it is maybe not suprising that nature has ensured there are some real and tangible health benefits to kindness:
Kindness reduces blood pressure and improves blood flow
Kindness releases nitric oxide (a naturally occurring molecule in our body) that is incredibly important for blood vessel health. It relaxes the inner muscles of our blood vessels causing them to widen which reduces blood pressure and improves blood flow and circulation.
Kindness is good for our hearts
By releasing nitric oxide and so reducing blood pressure, kindness also protects our hearts. Research shows that in relationships where there is more kindness, love and affection, there is much less hardening of the arteries.
Kindness protects against depression
Kindness boosts serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating our mood and protecting us against depression. Being kind also releases endorphins, a phenomenon known as a ‘helper’s high’ and many studies have shown that people who do regular volunteer work are happier than those who do not. There is a recent study that has found that being kind to others increases life and job satisfaction, both of which lowers our risk of depression.
Kindness reduces anxiety
Kindness calms our nervous system by switching off our fight/flight system and switching on the part of the nervous system responsible for rest, relaxation and regeneration. One research study found that kindness leads to an increase in feelings of joy, interest and alertness, all of which protect us against anxiety.
Kindness helps us to live longer
Kindness releases oxytocin which reduces free radicals in the arteries and immune system, making kindness a fantastic antioxidant. Kindness also slows down the ageing process as oxytocin is a hormone than research has shown results in a substantial reduction in oxidative stress in muscle and skin.
Kindness is great for stress management
Research conducted by Soft&Gentle found that being able to admit you’re wrong, being honest when it’s tough and apologizing when you’re in the wrong are all signs of strength through kindness, pointing to the fact that kindness strengthens our relationships. In turn, research by xx shows that the stronger our relationships, the better we are at coping with stress.
Kindness lowers our risk of illness
Nitric oxide is essential for our overall health, it allows blood, nutrients and oxygen to travel to every part of our bodies effectively and efficiently which boosts the immune system. In addition, the oxytocin that is released during acts of kindness reduces inflammation, high levels of which have been linked to diabetes, cancer, obesity, chronic pain and cancer. One study found that those who volunteered to help others had lower levels of inflammation that those who did not.
We are truly stronger together than we are alone, but the stresses of everyday life often threaten to pull us away from each other. Maybe kindness is nature’s insurance, loaded with so many benefits for mind and body it makes it hard to truly give up the glue that binds us all together.
Dr Emma Gray is commenting on behalf of Soft & Gentle as part of their recent campaign to encourage people to show Strength Through Kindness. Soft & Gentle lives and breathes kindness – its new S&G Skin Protect range uses carefully selected ingredients and uses organic oils to make sure the formula is gentle for skin but is one that works, time and time again.
[i] Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Soft&Gentle which polled 2,000 Brits