This week I received my regular email from Action for Happiness with the link to their monthly calendar. I wanted to share as it is a perfect topic for my Wellness Wednesday posts. Showing kindness to others is not only a benefit to the recipient but also to you. Studies have shown that there are positive health benefits as a result of Acts of Kindness.
We experience an increase of seratonin in the brain, a chemical that acts as a mood booster, brings calms and lessens anxiety. An act of kindnes has been shown to also help our immune system, reduce stress, can reduce chronic pain and even insommnia.
“People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying — and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status, and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.”
Christine Carter, Ph.D., Psychology Today article “What We Get When We Give”
During the month of August, we are encouraged to do daily actions which will create a wave of kindness around the world and the world can certainly do with some extra love and kindness at the moment, can’t it?
I’ve attached the calendar for your use and here is the link if you want the interactive copy .
So will you be part of Altruistic August? It is a win/win for you and the recipient of your kindness.
8 Comments
Hi, Sue – Thank you so much for this inspirational. I will definitely join you in Altruistic August. Using this calendar as a template, I’ve made my own personalized version – ‘Peaceful in August.’ I’ll share it in our next WOTY linkup (giving credit to you and the original verison of course)! 😀
A great idea for your WOTY post, Donna xx
Lovely thoughts, Sue – don’t overlook that your blog is a very big volunteer service that give a tremendous amount of help to many people. Toni x
Oh thank you so much, Toni. Sometimes I do forget that and I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. xx
Wow those are pretty impressive statistics. I’m definitely in for helping to spread some love and kindness. Thank you for sharing
Thanks Janine, imagine if everyone showed kindness daily what a happier world we would live in. x
Hi Sue, thanks for sharing the action for kindness calendar. I will keep these front and center this month and use them as gentle reminders to find beauty in each day by simply being kind.
My pleasure, Suzanne. I think the world needs some extra kindness at the moment.Take care xx