The theme of this month’s Mindfulness Monthly Memo is Do Good December, focusing on carrying out small acts of kindness and doing good for others. 

Practicing kindness not only benefits others but also has several positive effects on one’s own physical and mental health. Doing good acts can help individuals improve and maintain their own well-being, according to research. Here are some ways acts of kindness can positively affect one’s overall health:

• Happy hormones are released in the brain - Studies have found that when one performs an act of kindness, a surge of feel-good chemicals, or “happy hormones,” is released into the brain, including oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Oxytocin enhances feelings of connection and reduces stress.

• Improvement in heart health - Emotional and mental health are closely linked to cardiovascular health. Helping others can reduce levels of inflammation and lower blood pressure, reducing strain on your heart and promoting a less stressful mood. 

• Boost in the immune system - Research has demonstrated that when helping others, the body releases chemicals that enhance one’s immune response and the ability to fight off illnesses. 

• Less negative and anxious thoughts - Practicing kindness helps to focus on a more positive outlook on life by shifting away from negative or anxious thoughts, therefore reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

Acts of kindness can be accomplished through even the smallest everyday gestures, including complimenting somebody, providing a helping hand, or donating resources. In doing so, one is doing good for others and also for themselves! 

Appendix: Family Health Centers of San Diego. (2025, February 6). Kindness: How Being Kind to Others is Good for Your Health. Retrieved from https://www.fhcsd.org/kindness/