Acts of Kindness that Refresh the Soul

Acts of Kindness that Refresh the Soul

Valentine’s Day is upon us again—and our thoughts often turn to how we can show our love and affection to those we hold dear. In the past, whenever I would find ways to display my care for others through acts of kindness, I always felt a sense of satisfied joy. Now I’ve discovered the scientific “why” for the emotion that would predictably wash over me—it was deeper than sentimental, it was chemical!

While researching for my book, Get Healthy…for Heaven’s Sake, I attended a continuing education seminar on the subject of depression. During the course of study I was pleasantly surprised to learn that two extremely important neurotransmitters, which are found to be at insufficient levels in people suffering with depression, could be produced during particular social interactions.

A quoted research study showed that when one person demonstrates an act of kindness towards another, both the helper and the one who is being helped gained increased levels of both serotonin and endorphins. Even more surprising was that if a third person—an uninvolved bystander—witnessed this act of kindness, his levels of serotonin and endorphins increased as well!

I guess I shouldn’t have been that surprised as Proverbs 11:25states, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” So refresh your own soul this Valentine’s Day by showing someone you love a little TLC. The benefits of your good deed will flow back to you— and to anyone else blessed enough to be present.