The Benefits Of Witnessing Acts Of Kindness

Witnessing acts of kindness has great power over people. Completely altruistic and disinterested actions provoke feelings of peace and tranquility in those who see them, which, as they arrive unexpectedly, are recorded and last.

But why is witnessing acts of kindness so beneficial? What makes us feel good when we see other people working unselfishly for the benefit of others?

Seeing acts of kindness fills us with peace and gratitude

Witnessing an act of authentic kindness conveys a lasting feeling of peace and joy. Some of these acts, even though they seem insignificant, can stay in our memory and be inspiring in difficult times.

When we witness an act of kindness, we may be witnessing what Abraham Maslow called “peak experiences,” these moments of wonder, wonder, and a sense of right that makes us feel immensely grateful to be alive.

Renewed faith in human nature

Jonathan Haidt calls these experiences “euphoria” and describes them as a feeling of warmth in the chest, a feeling of expansion in the heart, a greater desire to help, and a heightened sense of connection with others.

For Haidt an act of kindness is a manifestation of higher or better human nature.

In fact, this may be one of the reasons why this experience occurs:

Altruism makes us more human

The sense of connection mentioned by Haidt is important. Altruism transcends the separation we often experience as human beings. It connects us with each other.

In fact, pure altruism is only possible because, at the deepest level, all human beings are part of the same network of consciousness.

The person who performs one act of kindness is sure to be the recipient of another altruistic act. And when we witness this act, we also become part of the network.

That is, acts of kindness have positive effects in three ways: what you do, what you receive and what you witness.

Kindness is positive for the immune system

Several scientific studies have shown that the act of kindness has a positive effect on the immune system and on increasing the production of serotonin in the brain.

Serotonin is a natural neurotransmitter that deals with mood regulation and helps control anxiety. Serotonin is considered a “feel good” substance because it serves as a pathway to produce pleasure in the brain.

One of the most fascinating research findings of recent years is that each time a simple act of kindness extends from one human being to another, it gives rise to a significant improvement in the functioning of the immune system and increases the production of serotonin in both offers the act as in the recipient.

What was most surprising to the researchers was that people who observe the act of kindness also experience a similar boost  in the immune system and an increase in the production of serotonin.

be kind to feel better

The benefits of kindness are not limited to strengthening the immune system and producing serotonin. Research has shown that those who habitually engage in acts of kindness experience relief from tension, reduction in chronic pain, and even amelioration of their insomnia problems.

Christine Carter explains that people who work as volunteers tend to experience less pain and discomfort than others.

In addition, offering help to others protects health twice as much as the protection offered by aspirin against heart disease.