

Kindness helps the world and your health
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Kindness is doing things for others without expecting anything in return. It can be as simple as holding the door for somebody, offering a compliment, paying for coffee for the person behind you in line or volunteering.
Did you know that in addition to often improving the atmosphere around you, kindness can also improve your health? Being kind:
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Produces a hormone called oxytocin that leads to your heart’s blood vessels opening wider and reducing your blood pressure.
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Improves your mood through a release of serotonin, a natural compound that improves the way you feel.
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Reduces pain by releasing endorphins.
There is also research that suggests being kind reduces stress, anxiety and depression.
If you are not naturally inclined to commit acts of kindness, Dr. Ritchie Davidson from the University of Wisconsin has compared being kind to training for a sport or job. That with practice, anyone can become kinder.
“There is enough research to indicate being kind is good for your health. However, even if being kind did not improve your health, it is something we should all try to do more,” said Megan Miller, D.O. board-certified family medicine, Genesis Primary Care.
Enter for a chance to win one of four $25 gift cards
Enter for a chance to win one of four $25 e-gift cards. Every Tuesday and Thursday, we post one piece of wellness information on our website and promote it through our Facebook page. To enter, you must be 18 years of age or older and respond to the “Useful” question at the end of the wellness information. Be honest, if it was not useful, tell us, it will not impact your odds of winning. One entry per person per piece of content. Genesis HealthCare System employees are not eligible. On the first Monday of the months of January - June 2023, we will draw four winners for the previous month and post on our Facebook page and notify them through email. Complete the form below to enter!