Biology of Kindness
March 24, 2024
-Karthik Gurumurthy
Can you believe if I say how being nice might help you live longer:
Ever notice how your grandma, who's always making desserts for neighbors and smiling at strangers, seems to be aging like fine wine? Turns out, science might explain why! This cool book, "The Biology of Kindness," suggests that being a good person isn't just nice for others - it's actually great for your health too!
Think about it like this: Your chromosomes have these little protective caps called telomeres (think of them like the plastic tips on shoelaces). When these caps wear down, you're more likely to get sick. The wild thing is, being kind, optimistic, and grateful might help keep these caps in better shape!
Here's a real-world example: They did this study with heart patients where they had them do simple nice things for eight weeks - stuff like giving compliments, helping with chores, or buying small gifts. And get this - 23 out of 30 patients actually showed health improvements! It's like their bodies were saying "thanks for being nice!"
Some other fun facts:
- Volunteering might help prevent dementia (so maybe helping at the food bank is like doing a crossword puzzle for your brain!)
- Eating more fiber (like your mom always said) could make your cells act 5.4 years younger
- Holding grudges is like letting stress eat away at those protective caps - so maybe it's time to forgive your cousin for borrowing and losing your favorite sweater!
The authors suggest six ways to boost your kindness quotient:
1. Get moving (maybe walk your elderly neighbor's dog?)
2. Eat well (more veggies, less junk)
3. Try meditation (it's not just for yogis!)
4. Build relationships (call your mom!)
5. Listen to music (dance party, anyone?)
6. Get outside (nature is basically free therapy)
Bottom line? Being nice isn't just about making others feel good - it's like a health supplement for your body! While we can't guarantee it'll make you live to 100, it sure beats being grumpy and stressed all the time. Plus, who doesn't want to be remembered as the sweet person who always brought cookies to the office?
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