Be kind to stress less

Be kind to stress less


It’s one of those days when nothing is going your way. Traffic is insane, urgent work emails are piling up and your coffee is bitter. But when the going gets tough, stressed-out people should be kind to others, says a new study by the Yale School of Medicine.

Researchers tracked the behavior of more than 70 adults and found that those who went out of their way to help someone actually felt happier and responded better to stress. Helping someone else helped shielded people from the other stress they encountered during the day. The results, published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, showed that those who helped others reported higher levels of positive emotion.

It’s not the first study to suggest that looking out for your neighbor can yield benefits for yourself. A 2003 study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine looked at more than 2,000 churchgoers and found that those who lent a helping hand to others felt less stress. It appears that focusing on others combats the self-centered ill effects of anxiety and depression. But why?

On a biological level, showing compassion can actually cause the release of the neurotransmitter oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle chemical.” Some researchers also think humans evolved this way — caring for a screaming baby requires much compassion, and oxytocin is nature’s reward for a mother’s patience.

The key to reaping such rewards is that the behavior must be above and beyond the ordinary. And it has to be authentic, so faking a good deed won’t fool your brain.

So if you’re having one of “those days,” consider being especially kind. It will not only help that other person — it will give you a boost as well.

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