Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Intentional Kindness

A growing body of research indicates that intentional kindness is a critical component of physical and mental health, as well as economic well-being. A new Extension fact sheet, Kindness Matters, details how being intentionally kind, including random acts of kindness, can benefit health. Kansas State University community health specialist, Elaine Johannes, says the fact sheet aims to help communities, schools, families and workplaces understand and implement more intentional acts of kindness. Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected]. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.