Recently I watched the movie, “New Year’s Eve,” which is currently in theatres. I was deeply touched by a scene with Hillary Swank where she calls out to people across the country who were watching the annual ball-drop at Time Square. It was an appeal to them to be kind and to love each other. Although it was part of a script, it still had a beautiful message and a positive effect on all who were viewing the movie. I have always been a firm believer that kindness should always be the choice we make and goodwill should always be our intent.

There is a famous quote by George Washington Carver that offers a logical reason for kindness: "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong because someday in your life you will have been all of these." However, there is also a positive effect component that accompanies kindness. Being kind has a profound impact in the lives of others, but you may not realize the positive health benefits it delivers to you as well. People who perform acts of kindness would agree that being kind to someone else makes them "feel good,” and scientific research shows that being kind has a significant health benefit, both physically and mentally.

Allan Luks, the former executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of Health and executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City studied kindness and documents his findings in his book, The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others. His study involved more than 3,000 volunteers and his findings concluded that, "Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health, and it can diminish the effect of diseases and disorders serious and minor, psychological and physical." He explains in his book that when someone engages in an act of kindness, a rush of euphoria, followed by a longer period of calm, occurs after performing the kind act which is referred to as "helper's high" and involves physical sensations and the release of the body's natural painkillers, the endorphins. This initial rush is then followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being.

Making the decision to refrain from judgment of others and allowing yourself to express your personal gratitude for life by reaching out and showing either small random acts of kindness or getting involved in organizations that brings good to others is not only a way to enrich your life immeasurably but also a way to ensure your good health. 

Source: Luks, Allan. The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others. New York: iUniverse.com, 2001. www.actsofkindness.org