Kindness Can Ward of the Winter Chill

You don’t have to go outside to know it’s cold out there. The wind is howling, the snow is blowing and the mercury is ready to fall through the floor. It’s another happy January! Those cold temperatures may not bring out the better angels of your nature, but the depth of winter is the best time for kindness.

You know that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you do something nice for someone? There’s research to support the idea that the warm glow we get from helping others is very real. When we do something nice for someone the reward centers in the brain are more active, using more oxygen and triggering the release of positive endorphins. One of these chemicals is Oxytocin, which reduces inflammation. The release of Oxytocin can be triggered by even a small act of kindness. In short, these types of brain chemicals increase our sense of wellbeing— just what we need when we’re trying to thwart the winter’s chill.

Being kind has another added effect, too. Those same brain chemicals that make us feel all warm inside not only help our mood, lower our heart rate and reduce stress, but they also provide a boost to our immune systems, which are under enough stress as it is. Along with a flu shot, hand sanitizer and plenty of vitamin C, it’s another great defense against winter.

So don’t let the frigid grip of winter get you down. Do something nice for someone and enjoy a warm feeling both inside and out.