Random Acts of Healing

Along the same thread of my last two posts, I want to let you know that it has actually been studied and shown that when you do something kind for someone else that you benefit as well.  There are several books that have been written about it, including The Pleasure Prescription (Hunter House, 1996), by Paul Pearsall, Ph.D who states: “Gentle, caring selflessness results in significant health benefits.”

In the book Meaning & Medicine, (Bantam Books, 1991) author Dr Larry Dossey points out that altruism helps at least three parties: the person doing the good deed, the person receiving the kindness, and persons who observe the act of kindness from a distance.

Studies described in The Healing Power of Doing Good (Fawcett Columbine, 1991) written by Allan Luks and Peggy Payne list many physical and emotional benefits of helping others, including:

• A more optimistic and happier outlook on life
• A heightened sense of well being
• A sense of exhilaration and euphoria
• An increase in energy
• A feeling of being healthy
• Decreased feelings of loneliness, depression and helplessness
• A sense of connectedness with others
• A greater sense of calmness and relaxation
• Increased longevity
• Better weight control
• An improvement in insomnia
• A stronger immune system
• A reduction in pain
• Increased body warmth
• A healthier cardiovascular system (reduction of high blood pressure, improved circulation, reduced coronary disease)
• A reduction of excessive stomach acid
• A decrease of oxygen requirement
• Relief from arthritis and asthma
• Speedier recovery from surgery
• Reduced cancer activity

Dude.  Did you read that last one?

Even though I know showing kindness to others helps us, I think it is amazing to actually learn of cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits because of kindness.  I know a large part of my healing has been from the kindness of others.

Now, go be kind.