If you want to boost your mood, walk around offering kindness > Well, at least that is what psychology researchers recommend*. They say that such kindness therapy reduces anxiety, plus increases happiness and feelings of social connection.
“It’s a simple strategy that doesn’t take a lot of time. You can easily incorporate it into your daily activities,” explains the study author.
To establish this recommendation he invited college students to walk around a building for 12 minutes practicing one of three strategies. They were asked to considered the outward appearance of those they encountered.
The 12 minute mood booster
It was found that those who practiced loving-kindness or wished others well, felt happier, more connected, caring and empathetic. They also ended up less anxious.
In comparison, students who compared themselves to others felt less empathetic, caring and connected than those who extended well wishes to others. Previous studies have shown downward social comparison has a buffering effect when we are feeling bad about ourselves.
The team also reported that social media is like a playground for comparisons. “We often feel envy, jealousy, anger or disappointment in response to what we see on social media,” added the researcher. “Those emotions disrupt our sense of well-being.”
These so called ‘findings’ may be true, but they are nothing new. They just validate so many religious (‘ Do unto others as you would yourself’) and psychology based therapies. These include making random acts of kindness, massaging your karma, loving kindness meditation LKM and the power of altruism.
We don’t need US researchers to tell the world that lovingkindness and praising others is good for the soul. All we need is the courage to be altruistic.