3) Kindness Slows Aging
Aging on a biochemical level is a combination of many things, but two culprits that speed the process are Free Radicals and Inflammation, both of which result from making unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Remarkable research now shows that oxytocin (that we produce through emotional warmth) reduces levels of free radicals and inflammation in the cardiovascular system and so slows aging at source. Incidentally these two culprits also play a major role in heart disease, so this is also another reason why kindness is good for the heart.
There have also been suggestions in the scientific journals of the strong link between compassion and the activity of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve, as well as regulating heart rate, also controls inflammation levels in the body. One study that used the Tibetan Buddhist’s ‘Loving Kindness Compassion’ meditation found that kindness and compassion did, in fact, reduce inflammation in the body, mostly likely due to its effects on the vagus nerve.
This is my third posting of sharings from Dr. David R. Hamilton, PhD,'s book , "The Five Side Effects of Kindness".
His first point said that doing kindnesses makes us FEEL good, and his second point described how kindness can cause the release of oxytocin and is good for the heart. Now he tells us that compassion affects the vagus nerve, affecting heart rate and inflammation! How exciting is that!
Dr. David R. Hamilton, PhD, published a book in 2017 entitled, "The Five Side Effects of Kindness" He explains how scientific evidence has proven that kindness changes the brain, impacts the heart and immune system, and may even be an antidote to depression. We're actually genetically wired to be kind. He shows that the effects of kindness are felt daily throughout our nervous systems. When we're kind, our bodies are healthiest.
References to all studies can be found in
David R Hamilton, PhD., ‘The Five Side Effects of Kindness‘
(Hay House, February 2017).
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