Doing good deeds ‘can actually improve your health’

London: A new study has found that people who carry out charity work and other good deeds, such as helping with a neighbour’s gardening, experience less anger and stress and feel more positive and self-confident.

The study at the University of Sussex’s Mindlab measured stress levels and other emotions of a group of men and women who performed good deeds for nine days. “Being more considerate can reduce stress levels,” the Daily Mail quoted Psychologist Dr David Lewis, who conducted the research, as saying. Effects of stress on the body are well documented: it can suppress the immune system, lead to a rise in blood pressure, increase risk of heart attack and stroke, and contribute to infertility. “Therefore to improve our chances of being healthy we should all start doing good to others today,” Lewis added. ANI