Have you ever heard the phrase, “Kindness is contagious?” There is research to show evidence that kindness can spread in various ways. You’ve surely experienced or witnessed instances in which someone has paid it forward based on one person’s good deed.
In today’s post, I’d like you to explore this further and show you just how far-reaching the concept of kindness can be.
Everyone Benefits from Kindness
Everyone benefits from random acts of kindness. The person performing gets that “helper’s high” from going out of their way to brighten someone else’s day. The recipient enjoys the unexpected positive outreach.
We all appreciate when someone is kind to us. These positive feelings can often create a cycle because those involved want to continue positive feeling.
The performer gets a rush from helping someone and will often be motivated to keep giving in various ways. The recipient wants to spread the joy they’ve just experienced. They may feel a need to “pay it forward” , thus spreading the cycle of kindness.
And it all begins with one little random act of kindness.
Observers Benefit Too!
Even if someone is not directly part of an act of kindness, there can be benefits. A phenomenon known as “moral elevation” exists that ensures good deeds will spread.
It works by creating positive feelings when a trigger occurs within the peripheral and central nervous systems. These neurophysical connections are made when someone witnesses or hears about an act of kindness or feel-good story. The high or euphoric feeling you then get motivates you to want to do something good, thus, continuing the pay-it-forward cycle.
Social Learning Theory
Social learning theory is the study of the ways in which groups interact. Its core principles are based on the fact that people will behave in similar ways to which they see others in their community behave. It’s sort of the “monkey see, monkey do” philosophy.
Therefore, when children grow up in a family in which kindness and compassion are the norm, they are more likely to display those traits as well. Kindness is essentially contagious when your community is constantly performing kind acts.
You can make a difference in your small corner of the world by simply performing random acts of kindness. Be the change you wish to see and encourage the people around you to be kind to each other. You’ll begin to see an impact in those around you.
Random Acts of Kindness are Contagious!
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