Friday Feature: Want to Slow the Aging Process? Be Kind.

A smile. A thoughtful email. Paying it forward at Starbucks. All acts of kindness requiring only a small amount of time, energy, or money. We know they can make someone else's day, but do they do anything for us?

As it turns out, they do. They can take us from stressed to non-stressed, not only in a way we can feel, but inside our bodies as well. 

Altruistic and compassionate acts activate our calmer side, releasing us from the fight-or-flight mode that stress can put us into. When we take time to be kind, we're not just making an investment in someone else; we're making an investment in our own health and longevity as well. 

So, the next time you put your heart into something, you just might be doing it more good than you think.