Episode 10: Kindness, Gratitude, Giving, Purpose, And Brain Health
In this episode, I’m going to talk about yet another gang of four, not the four DOSE hormones, however, they are central to this plot, but 4 little words, yet four massive concepts that are believed to be central to our mental health and happiness.
And once again, almost entirely under our control. I’m talking about gratitude, kindness, purpose and giving.
For example, numerous studies over the past decade have found that people who consciously count their blessings, who are actively and consciously grateful, tend to be happier, less depressed, and healthier.
There’s something called the Gratitude Project, and they found that people who regularly practice gratitude, who are grateful and who demonstrated their gratitude, experienced more than a dozen different physical, psychological, and social benefits.
And according to the Mayo Clinic, being kind produces very similar results to being grateful. Kindness boosts serotonin and dopamine, as well as endorphins and oxytocins. All four of the essential DOSE hormones.
Then there’s purpose. Again, lots of great studies and especially over the last decade to show that having meaning and purpose, a why in life, can improve cognitive function, reduce depression, give you greater satisfaction and joy in life, and greater overall sense of well being.
