Why be kind? You might live longer. (original) (raw)

three people looking at telomeres and data charts.

Illustrations by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff

December 5, 2024 1 min read

Take our research-based quiz on biological benefits of being good

Technically, when doing something nice for another person you’re not supposed to think about what’s in it for you. Yet it turns out putting others first is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. In “The Biology of Kindness: Six Daily Choices for Health, Well-Being, and Longevity,” Harvard’s Immaculata De Vivo and co-author Daniel Lumera explore the scientific evidence that prosocial behavior can unlock longer, healthier, happier lives. We asked De Vivo — who holds posts at Radcliffe, the Medical School, and the Chan School of Public Health — to help us develop the following quiz based on her book.


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