Is there a secret to happiness? Perhaps it’s something as simple as the perfect cup of tea, a foot massage, a dip in the ocean or, at this time of the year, perhaps a deliciously warm bath? Whilst many things bring fleeting pleasure, the secret to enduring happiness is often said to be giving to others.
Giving to others, are you sure? What about making lots of money instead? Well, a famous 2010 study by Princeton researchers Kahneman and Deaton asked this very question, and the answer may surprise you. They found that people tended to feel happier the more money they made, up to a point. More precisely, they found $75,000 a year was the sweet spot and that beyond that figure there were no benefits to how happy people felt on a day-to-day basis. Given the median salary in Canberra is north of $107,000, a lot of Canberrans probably have that covered and making more money isn’t going to budge the happiness dial.
So, let’s give altruism or the more ubiquitous 2021 version ‘kindness’ another look. Here are some compelling reasons to get on the ‘kindness is the new cool’ bandwagon.
Reality check
Helping others, especially those who are less fortunate than ourselves can really help put our own worries and challenges into perspective and help you feel more positive about your own circumstances.
The brain-boosting trifecta
Helping others has been found to heighten the three neurochemical drivers of happiness: dopamine (which boosts motivation and arousal), serotonin (which supports sleep, digestion, memory, learning and appetite) and oxytocin (the ‘cuddle hormone’ which lowers blood pressure, inflammation, and pain). It doesn’t get any better than that!
It’s contagious, in a good way
When people observe others being generous or kind, it inspires them to do the same. We are social creatures, deeply wired to care about each other. Sometimes we just need a spark of imagination to realise we can also pull off a simple act of kindness ourselves.
Volunteer cheer
People who volunteer have been found to have higher self-esteem and overall wellbeing. Experts say that performing acts of kindness boosts your mood and ultimately makes you more optimistic and positive.
A final refinement for making your giving of kindness even more beneficial is to align your giving with something you are passionate about. For example, if gardening is your passion, you could volunteer at your local community garden or send care packages of veggies, flowers or seeds to someone in need. Whilst kindness helps the recipient, it’s possibly even more beneficial to the person who gives it.
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