OUR KIND OF VIEWING

WE KNOW THAT BEING kind has a positive impact on mental health, increasing happiness and even protecting against depression. But what about watching other people being kind? Studies suggest it works the same way. Regardless of whether you give, receive or simply watch it, compassion improves wellbeing. Researchers at Envision Kindness, a not-for-profit that focuses on sharing media and stories of kindness, along with researchers at Harvard University, invited 50 parents of children attending a dental hospital to watch kindness media – children doing acts of kindness – or media that had nothing to do with kindness.

After one eight-minute video, those who watched kindness media experienced increases in happiness, optimism, calmness and gratitude* – and felt more generous: Each participant was given a gift card for their participation, but most who watched the kindness media donated their gift.

Witnessing compassion boosts happiness, explains scientist and author David Hamilton

Join ‘Psychologies’ kindness tsar David Hamilton live on Facebook @Psychologiesmagazine for his free 30-day kindness challenge and monthly broadcasts – next on 11 May at 1pm. Catch up via Psychologies TV at tinyurl.com/ psykind. For more, join the ‘Psychologies’ Life Leap Club, free when you subscribe to the magazine.‘the Little Book Of Kindness’ (Octopus, £6.99) and ‘The Five Side Effects Of Kindness’ (Hay House, £12.99) by David Hamilton are out now