Fun challenge: be kind to the next stranger you encounter.
Research from Bournemouth University has shown that being generous or cooperating with others activates a part of the brain which is used when we find things rewarding, such as eating delicious food, stroking dogs and even taking addictive drugs. This part of the brain is called the striatum and gives a feeling of "warm glow".
There was also a study that showed that spending money on others made people happier than spending it on themselves!
Here are three reasons being kind makes you feel good -
Smiling's contagious - If you're kind then it's likely to make that person smile and if you and others see that smile then the happiness will spread. Seeing someone else show an emotion automatically activates the same areas of the brain as if we experience the emotion ourselves - ever caught yourself laughing just because someone else is?
Connecting - Kind acts such as buying someone a cute present or even just a drinks down the pub can strengthen a friendship, and that alone can boost your mood. Being kind opens up the chance of developing a social connection with anyone.
Karma - Kindness comes back around (or it's nice to think that it does). Someone might remember that you helped them out last time and therefore be more likely to help you in the future. It could also be that one person being kind makes others in the group kinder. It may be that you're kind to someone and that might teach them how to be kind to others and it could come full circle on you.
A genuine smile to a stranger, holding a door or best yet buying someone a croissant who's behind you in the line.
