“If you want happiness for an hour—take a nap. If you want happiness for a day—go fishing. If you want happiness for a month—get married. If you want happiness for a year—inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime—help others.”
-Chinese Proverb
In a study published in the Journal of Social Psychology, researchers in Great Britain had 86 participants take a survey measuring life satisfaction. Once they had completed the survey, the participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups.
The first group was instructed to perform an act of kindness each day for the next 10 days. Group two was told to do something new every day during those 10 days. The third group received no instructions.
After the 10 days were up, the researchers asked the participants to complete the same life satisfaction survey that they had taken earlier.
The groups that practiced kindness and tried new activities for 10 days both experienced a significant—and roughly equal—boost in happiness. The third group, the ones who received no instructions, did not report an increase in happiness.
The study, which endorses the above Chines Proverb, shows that good deeds do in fact make people feel good (even when performed for only 10 days). The study also suggests that trying something new also boosts our happiness.
With those discoveries in mind, I would like to recommend an opportunity that can help us practice kindness and try new things.
A volunteer-run global nonprofit called KindSpring has created a 21-Day Kindness Challenge. Starting on October 2, KindSpring will email you one inspiring kindness idea every day for 21 days.
Participants from around the world will do the same act every day and will be able to share their stories, and spread kindness together.
If you think you could use a little extra happiness in your life, then you should sign up for the 21-Day Kindness Challenge by clicking here!
