What is kindness? You may be surprised to learn there’s no one answer to this question.

Kindness can mean different things to different people, and it can take on many forms. From being friendly and helpful to strangers, to being supportive and understanding with loved ones, there are countless ways we can show kindness in our lives.

While there are no set rules for how to be kind, one thing is always true: acts of kindness are always worth it. They make the world a more compassionate place and can make us feel good too.

There is no one answer to the question, "What defines kindness?" which brings up an interesting point- it can mean different things depending on who you ask. The true meaning of kindness cannot be captured by one simple answer - but perhaps these three words can provide some insights: empathy, compassion, caring.

The benefits of being kind

Helps us feel good about ourselves. When we do something kind for someone else, it not only benefits them – it also benefits us. Kindness creates a warm, fuzzy feeling inside us that makes us feel good about ourselves. And when we feel good about ourselves, we're more likely to be happy and successful in life.

Make other people happy. It's no secret that acts of kindness make other people feel good. But did you know that being kind can make people happy? Research has shown that performing acts of kindness leads to an increase in happiness, both in who is showing kindness and the person on the receiving end of the act.

Improve our health. Yes, you read that right – being kind can improve your health! When we're kind to others, our body releases oxytocin, a hormone linked with stress relief and improved cardiovascular health. Oxytocin is also known as the "love hormone" because it's released when we experience positive emotions like love, joy, and compassion.

Make the world a better place. When we're kind to others, we help make the world a better place. We all know that the world can be a tough place, but when we show kindness and compassion to those around us, we help make it a little bit brighter. In fact, studies have shown that acts of kindness can make the world a happier and healthier place.

Give you more energy. About half of participants in one study reported that they feel stronger and more energetic after helping others; many also reported feeling calmer and less depressed, with increased feelings of self-worth.

You may even live longer! People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after removing any other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more.

So, the next time you're thinking about being kind to someone, remember the many benefits for you and for the person you’re being kind to. You might just make their day – and yours. And together make the world a better place.