‘A Scientific Case for Spreading Goodness’
By Sam Centerbar & Anna Dravland
I made a new facebook friend the other day. And quickly realized I liked all of her posts. Every single one made me laugh with recognition. I was smiling so much that my face hurt.
Imagine how great it would have been for her to know that she’d made me happy. But she didn’t, of course. Because I stopped “liking” her posts after the first two… (Oh, you’ve done this, also, have you?)
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE - DON’T BE A WEIRDO
Society has SO many unwritten rules that keep us apart. Especially with our social media dominated world.
Don’t “like” social posts too far back, you creep. They get it, you like their stuff. So annoying to spam then with likes and comments.
OR… is it uplifting, encouraging and have direct positive impact on your friend?
Hold the door, but don’t walk with them! What do you think this is some kind of hallway party?
Help them with their groceries, but only if they’re struggling – and if they seem like they’ve got it, definitely do not – and DEAR GOD keep the convo on the weather, Weirdo…
Don’t share “good deeds” or stories about people making a difference. It’s “showing off”. “You should only do good in private.”
Anyone else think these social rules are stupid?Did you know that performing acts of kindness, and even just witnessing kindness, creates oxytocin, which reduces blood pressure and makes you feel more loving and loved? It also reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Add some serotonin, which helps heal your wounds. Throw in some good ol’ endorphins to reduce pain. Even dopamine gets involved in this kindness induced chemical collection of health power.
Spreading goodness even reduces inflammation to the cellular level!
This is all just the start of the scientifically proven benefits spreading goodness has on you and those around you. Your goodness spreads healing, happiness & love. And let’s just say it… The world could use a big dose of healing. Let’s heal the world together, one act of kindness at a time!
MIRROR NEURONS TO SAVE THE DAY
I saved the coolest part for last: Something as small as a smile can have a major impact on feeling socially connected because of a little thing called mirror neurons.
Mirror neurons (just like how they sound) cause us to “mirror” what we observe in others. When we observe someone smiling, it activates micro smiling muscles in our face – and since we both feel they are happy, we in turn, feel happier…
SO… If you’re walking down the hall and smile at someone, even if they don’t smile back, you’ve just activated their smile micro- muscles (you sneaky lil’ smiler!) ...And chances are, they’ll smile at the next person.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
Now that we know that kindness, even just smiling, literally heals, can you think of a good reason not to spread goodness like crazy?
Yeah at first, breaking social scripts might feel awkward, especially if you’re a little out of practice – but when you do, it makes you, and everyone around you, happier and healthier! So come on, creeper…I’m not kidding now. You in?...
“We feel afraid to cross the boundary of discomfort but sometimes it’s okay, even necessary, to be unbridled and enthusiastic…”- Anna Dravland, Spread Goodness Day Founder
We wanna hear your thoughts: Can you think of a time when you felt socially obligated to keep your distance? Or pressure to be quiet good news? Besides the whole COVID-19 6- ft-pole-between thing) Are you ready to change your life spreading goodness unapologetically, excessively & a contagious grin?
Comment below:
And if, like us, you find the science of health and happiness FASCINATING: check out more on Dr. Emma Sappala’s website @ emmaseppala.com
Works Cited
Sappala, Emma. “The Power and Science of Social Connection”. TEDx, April. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvUppaDfNs&t=1s.
Images courtesy of pexels.com & Spread Goodness Day