There's a lot of power in kindness. According to experts, nice people tend to be optimists, and optimists seem to have better-functioning immune systems. Optimists may also take better care of their health in the first place, allowing them to feel better and do more for others. Nice people, people who have a sense of community with others, can usually handle stress better.
Sharing leads to bonding, which is a two-way street.
Being nice, helping out, fosters a crucial sense of connection with people. And then, when a community-minded person gets into trouble, he or she has someone to count on. This keeps stress chemicals like norepinephrine and cortisol at a lower, safe level in the body. It is these hormones, in fact, that put you at risk for heart disease. Someone who is a mench is also less likely to suffer from stress-related symptoms, such as headaches, backaches and stomach problems.