Why kindness is the new currency

Note: the views expressed in this article are solely the subjective views of its author, based on their personal experiences, and are not necessarily representative of Roar!

A perfect storm of demotivation and frustration has brewed. Long hours spent in cramped, makeshift home offices with no certain point of return to banter and camaraderie, with many of the usual outlets for letting off steam after a hard day’s work closed or greatly restricted, has led to Google search data warning of an imminent ‘burnout spike’ amongst Britain’s workforce. Since 2015, global searches for the phrase ‘occupational burnout’ have increased by more than 2500%, and this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week urged us all to #FightForMH, reflecting how years of underfunding and neglect have harrowingly come to a head. Deaths linked to alcohol abuse, for instance, are at their highest levels since records began.

Why kindness is the answer

Fighting for mental health, ‘building back better’ and other tidy buzzphrases all carry decent ideas. But if they are to translate into actions, society needs an accessible, inexpensive tool to make it all happen. Increasingly science is pointing towards just that: a quality that enhances the ability to perform in difficult situations; that improves leadership, communication skills - and yes, strengthens mental and physical health. You’ve probably posted about it within the last year. It’s kindness.

While it’s wise to be sceptical of things frequently bounced around on social media, kindness really is worthy of our attention. The Harvard Business Review has argued for organisations to prioritise it no less than 15 times, as a wealth of research shows the benefits of consciously practising kindness, compassion and empathy as a manager or colleague.

The science of kindness

So, what does the science have to offer? Kindness boosts both our physical and mental health. We human beings are a social species, and our nervous system and biology respond when we connect with others as well as when we give care to others. It feels good to be kind and to receive kindness. Kindness turns on our emotional soothing system, underpinned by the neuropeptide oxytocin and the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. This helps us to stay engaged in caregiving behaviours, which, while vital for looking after our young, are fundamental to all types of relationship - not forgetting a high-pressure interview or a frontline job. It also counteracts the harmful effects of stress on our body. In this way, kindness supports the health of our heart and cardiovascular system, boosts immunity and may help reduce chronic inflammation. It’s a life hack in the truest sense.

Kindness boosts purpose

As for looking after our minds, being kind, receiving kindness, or even witnessing kindness among others shifts our attention away from negative thoughts and reduces irritation, anxiety, fear and depression. The health benefits flow three ways and all three parties can enjoy them. One study found that simply watching films of other people being kind boosts antibody levels. Moreover, kindness feeds our sense of purpose and belonging; it’s not just a nice quality to have, but fundamentally supportive of our health and wellbeing individually and collectively. If we can commit to applying kindness in our immediate environments, the resulting ripple effect can create positive changes in our businesses, cities and societies, and deliver innovative solutions at a time when we need them most.

Bonny Hazelwood is a journalist, psychology student and neurodiversity advocate. She is the creator of free psychology education podcast ‘Bonny Is Psyched’.

Sebastian Bóo is a trainer, tutor and researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science with the Student Wellbeing Service and the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science. He has delivered training on kindness to multinational organisations and has been a guest speaker at universities in the USA, Latin America and Asia. He has also undertaken research on self-kindness and resilience, mindfulness and academic performance at Cambridge University. His first book, ‘Kindness - A Pocket Guide’, will be available soon on Amazon.