The glow of kindness is real

Selfless acts of kindness can make you happy in the long runThe glow of kindness is real- even if it has nothing in it for you. Psychologists at the University of Sussex have confirmed the same by undertaking a major analysis of existing research showing the brain scans relating to over 1,000 people making kind decisions.For the first time, they split the analysis between what happens in the brain when people act out of genuine altruism —where there’s nothing in it for them — and when they act with strategic kindness — when there is something to be gained as a consequence.Many individual studies have hinted that generosity activates the reward network of the brain but this new study from Sussex is the first that brought these studies together, and then split the results into two types of kindness — altruistic and strategic.The Sussex scientists found that reward areas of the brain are more active — i.e use up more oxygen — when people act with strategic kindness, when there is an opportunity for others to return the favour.Lead author Dr Daniel Campbell-Meiklejohn said, “We know that people can choose to be kind because they like feeling like they are a ‘good person’, but also that people can choose to be kind when they think there might be something ‘in it’ for them such as a returned favour or improved reputation.” So the next time you decide to help someone out of your way, be sure to reap the benefits too.— ANI