The Science Behind Why We Need More of the ‘Secret Sauce’ of Kindness

As a means of continuing where we left off last month, this class is about how – in the face of adversity and negativity – we need to reconnect with one another more than ever before. Reconnection is made possible by embracing kindness and compassion; embracing kindness and compassion happens once we realize that it is essential to our state of being and longevity. And it just feels good.

In case you can’t stay for the entirety of the class, here’s the “secret sauce” of this blog: when we truly understand that we are connected to one another, we give more freely, we treat each other with respect, we act with integrity, and we trust one another. As the socio-biologic need for kindness and connection is fulfilled, health, happiness, meaning, collaboration, and peace readily flow from there.

Research already shows how satisfying our need for quality connections is absolutely critical for both mental and physical health. Adults who are socially isolated (lonely, without quality support group) have a risk of death that is 26% higher than those who have a quality social network, making it a formidable mortality factor that is comparable to health risks such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking.

Heart disease is the major reason why lonelier people have higher mortality rates than those who maintain quality relationships (not social media relationships, either). This makes sense considering how loneliness is a potent psychological stressor that is also associated with higher blood pressure and blood sugar. People lacking quality social support also have understandably increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The need for connection is also seen in children, animals, and even insects. Given how widespread and strong the drive for connection is, the only logical conclusion is that the need to meaningfully connect with other living beings is baked into our biology. In fact, the area of the brain that is associated with the experience of social pain or loss is the same as the one that experiences physical pain, which partly explains why emotional loss is so painful and isolation in prison is such a powerful punishment.

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/secret-sauce-of-kindness-from-envision-kindness/

More to read on the link