The Healing Power of Kindness
“There is a hormone that is produced every time we do something kind. It’s called oxytocin — what he likes to call the “kindness hormone.”
“One of the things that it does, it softens the wall of the arteries,” Hamilton said. “It’s funny; it’s like a mirror. As you become softer towards people, so you soften on the inside. It actually softens the walls of the arteries. And when that happens, the heart doesn’t have to push as hard to get the blood through, so blood pressure drops.”
CBS News: The healing, and persistent, power of kindness
Benefits of Kindness
Kindness studies over several decades have demonstrated these benefits, among many others:
- Longer lifespan
- Less stress
- Improved cardiovascular system
- Increased energy
- Improved immune system
- Lower risk for depression
- Stronger relationships
- Better performance at work and school