Being kind is not only the right thing to do—it’s also good for our physical and mental health. Psychologists have found that performing acts of generosity boosts happiness and well-being and is even linked to physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure (Curry, O. S., et al., Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 76, 2018opens in new window; Hui, B. P. H., et al., Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 146, No. 12, 2020opens in new window).
Both small acts, such as holding the door for a stranger, petting an animal, or bringing coffee to a colleague, and larger favors, such as helping a friend move, can have an impact, said Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, a professor of psychology and director of the Positive Activities and Well-Being Laboratory at the University of California, Riverside. Prosocial behavior toward friends, strangers, and oneself—and even observing or recalling kind acts—have been shown to increase well-being, self-confidence, and a sense of meaning in life (Rowland, L. & Curry, O. S., The Journal of Social Psychology, Vol. 159, No. 3, 2019opens in new window; Ko, K., et al., The Journal of Positive Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2021opens in new window; Regan, A., et al., Affective Science, Vol. 4, 2022opens in new window).
Not all acts of generosity are created equal. Giving directly to a person or proxy—for instance, donating face-to-face to a charity rather than contributing online or taking a friend out to dinner rather than sending them a meal—offers an opportunity for social connectedness that’s particularly beneficial, said Lara Aknin, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, who directs the Helping and Happiness Lab.
“When people give in ways that are more socially connected or relational, that seems to better unlock these emotional rewards,” she said.
People also reap more benefits from kind behavior when they’ve chosen to be kind, rather than being required to do so, and when they feel that their actions have had a positive impact (Aknin, L. B., et al., Current Directions in Psychological Science, Vol. 31, No. 6, 2022opens in new window).
On top of the psychological gains, research also ties helping behavior to better physical health. One study tracked more than 7,000 U.S. adults, finding that those who volunteered engaged in more preventive health behaviors than those who did not (Kim, E. S. & Konrath, S. H., Social Science & Medicine, Vol. 149, 2016opens in new window). In another study, older adults who spent money on others had lower blood pressure than those who spent money on themselves (Whillans, A. V., et al., Health Psychology, Vol. 35, No. 6, 2016opens in new window).
Lyubomirsky and her colleagues even found that people who performed acts of kindness—anything involving helping, sharing, or caring for others—showed improvements in gene expression associated with a healthier immune profile (Nelson-Coffey, S. K., et al., Psychoneuroendocrinology, Vol. 81, 2017opens in new window).
“These genetic changes could hint at a mechanism that helps explain the physical health benefits of prosocial behavior,” she said.
Research also shows that generosity persists even in challenging circumstances. Around the world, benevolent acts—such as donating money, volunteering, or helping a stranger—are more common than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic (World Happiness, Trust, and Social Connections in Times of Crisis, 2023opens in new window).
