Image: Pixabay.com/Greyerbaby
Between sayings about it being better to give than to receive or paying it forward, you’d think we’d be living in a world where happiness abounds 24/7. After all, participating in random acts of kindness has been said to not only be a nice thing to do, but there’s often a lot of talk about the behavior as something that boosts our own happiness as well.
Win-win, right?
Well, experts from the universities of Oxford and Bournemouth set out to determine if kindness is indeed the mood-booster it’s often touted as being.
And…it is.
The team assessed more than 400 published papers on the link between kindness and happiness, fine-tuning the process to analyze several papers that actually put the happiness claim to the test. They then ultimately examined the statistical results of the scientific papers to determine whether or not being kind makes people happier.
According to the University of Oxford, there truly is an association between kindness and happiness. You can view more details on the Open Science Framework, an open collaboration project focused on science, where the experts’ 52-page abstract on the topic is housed.
Dr. Oliver Scott Curry, from the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Oxford, and a lead author of the study explains the kindness-happiness association. “Humans are social animals. We are happy to help family, friends, colleagues, community members and even strangers under some conditions,” he says. “This research suggests that people do indeed derive satisfaction from helping others. This is probably because we genuinely care about others' welfare, and because random acts of kindness are a good way of making new friends, and kick-starting supportive social relationships.”
While the study does point out that the overall effect of kindness on happiness—based on their particular assessments—is somewhat small (approximately less than one point on a 0-10 happiness scale), let’s keep our happiness hats on and hold on to the hope that kindness, no matter how large or small, can generate.
Additionally, it’s noted that the research conducted didn’t distinguish between various types of kindness. For example, there are certain dynamics that exist between family, friends, and strangers, colleagues, and more. This suggests that specific kindness as opposed to arbitrary kindness could have an even greater impact on your happiness level.
Study or no study, I’m of the mindset that kindness is a good thing. It never hurts to be nice, and I definitely feel lighter in my heart whenever I do something nice for others.
What kind act or words have you shared with someone today?
Kindness is always in style.
©Copyright 2016, Jennifer Lea Reynolds, The Kindness Couture, and TheKindnessCouture.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to
Jennifer Lea Reynolds and The Kindness Couture with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Win-win, right?
Well, experts from the universities of Oxford and Bournemouth set out to determine if kindness is indeed the mood-booster it’s often touted as being.
And…it is.
The team assessed more than 400 published papers on the link between kindness and happiness, fine-tuning the process to analyze several papers that actually put the happiness claim to the test. They then ultimately examined the statistical results of the scientific papers to determine whether or not being kind makes people happier.
According to the University of Oxford, there truly is an association between kindness and happiness. You can view more details on the Open Science Framework, an open collaboration project focused on science, where the experts’ 52-page abstract on the topic is housed.
Dr. Oliver Scott Curry, from the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Oxford, and a lead author of the study explains the kindness-happiness association. “Humans are social animals. We are happy to help family, friends, colleagues, community members and even strangers under some conditions,” he says. “This research suggests that people do indeed derive satisfaction from helping others. This is probably because we genuinely care about others' welfare, and because random acts of kindness are a good way of making new friends, and kick-starting supportive social relationships.”
While the study does point out that the overall effect of kindness on happiness—based on their particular assessments—is somewhat small (approximately less than one point on a 0-10 happiness scale), let’s keep our happiness hats on and hold on to the hope that kindness, no matter how large or small, can generate.
Additionally, it’s noted that the research conducted didn’t distinguish between various types of kindness. For example, there are certain dynamics that exist between family, friends, and strangers, colleagues, and more. This suggests that specific kindness as opposed to arbitrary kindness could have an even greater impact on your happiness level.
Study or no study, I’m of the mindset that kindness is a good thing. It never hurts to be nice, and I definitely feel lighter in my heart whenever I do something nice for others.
What kind act or words have you shared with someone today?
Kindness is always in style.
©Copyright 2016, Jennifer Lea Reynolds, The Kindness Couture, and TheKindnessCouture.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to
Jennifer Lea Reynolds and The Kindness Couture with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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