SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS, BIG HEALTH BENEFITS

We are literally wired to help each other. “Helper’s high” is the uplifting feeling people experience after performing acts of kindness, generosity, or altruism. It’s more than just a warm, fuzzy sensation-science shows that helping others triggers a biochemical response in the brain that enhances mood and well-being.

When you engage in acts of kindness, such as volunteering, donating, or simply offering support to someone in need, your brain releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood boosters. These chemicals interact with opioid receptors in the brain, creating feelings of pleasure and reducing stress, much like the well-known “runner’s high”. Additionally, acts of generosity stimulate the release of dopamine and oxytocin. Dopamine reinforces feelings of reward and satisfaction, while oxytocin, often called the “love hormone”, promotes trust, bonding, and emotional warmth, strengthening social connections.

Beyond just feeling good in the moment, helping others has long-term health benefits. Studies suggest that altruistic behaviour can lower stress levels by reducing cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. It also contributes to improved mental health, with research linking kindness to lower rates of anxiety and depression. On a physical level, oxytocin released during acts of generosity can lower blood pressure and support heart health. Some studies even indicate that people who regularly engage in helping behaviours tend to live longer, suggesting that kindness has profound effects on overall well-being.

From an evolutionary perspective, the brain’s reward system for kindness makes sense. Humans are social beings who rely on cooperation for survival. By reinforcing altruistic behaviour with a natural high, the brain encourages actions that strengthen community bonds and increase group resilience.

If you want to experience helper’s high for yourself, consider volunteering at a local organisation, donating to a cause, or offering small daily acts of kindness, like holding the door for someone or buying a friend coffee. The more you practice generosity, the more your brain reinforces the behaviour, creating a positive cycle of kindness and happiness.

Source: Collective Evolution