“The word kindness does the following:

1-It brings up thoughts of donating to charity, holding open doors for strangers, helping out colleagues with their work. One aspect that unifies most kind acts is that they are effortful. However, effort is aversive—humans and other animals generally avoid it. So why are we kind if it requires so much work? Ourselves and other researchers have shown that people are indeed willing to put in physical effort to help other people. We don’t do so as often as when our effort benefits us instead, but we will do it, particularly if the benefit for the other person is large.”

Research shows that specific parts of the brain represent how effortful an act is and these are linked to overcoming the hard work needed to help others. Next time we are faced with the opportunity to help, it is important to focus on the benefits, rather than the effort, to motivate us that being kind is worthwhile.

2-Another essential aspect of being kind is being able to learn that what we did helped another person. Research has shown that when we are learning to help someone else, there is a part of the brain in the cingulate cortex that increases its activity only when we are being kind to someone else, and not when we are helping ourselves. This suggests that we might have specific parts of the brain for being kind.

3-One factor that affects all of us is age, and this has come up in recent research as important for kindness too. Older people seem to be more willing to be kind, whether that is putting in effort for others, learning about rewards, donating to charity, and even engaging in higher daily step counts to help. Older people seem to be more kind than younger people, on average. However, who we are being kind to is also a critical predictor of our willingness to help.

4-Age seems to be an important factor in being kind to others. But, at any age, are there particular traits that affect our kindness? Several researchers have shown that an important difference between people is levels of what are known as psychopathic traits—lack of empathy, remorse, and guilt.

Both when we are putting in effort to help others and when we are learning whether we have helped someone or not, our ability to be kind seems to vary on a spectrum with our levels of psychopathy. However, on the flip side, people who are higher in empathy are faster at learning how their actions help others and more willing to put in effort to help. Cultivating our levels of empathy, and minimizing any traits linked to psychopathy, are therefore essential for the tendency to be kind”

Psychology Today (5 Core Lessons from the Science of Kindness | Psychology Today Australia)

Kindness is a quality that seems inherent in human beings. Like most vital things, however, it is at once very simple and very complex, with multiple layers that can be explored extensively.

On the simplest level, kindness is showing consideration to others, as opposed to being insensitive, harmful or apathetic. On this basic level, kindness has universal appeal. Not only human beings, including infants and children, but also animals appreciate kindness.

The reason for this is simple. Our most basic motivation is to strive for survival, well-being and happiness. Being treated by others with cruelty, indifference or insensitivity goes directly against this basic wish. So, we want others to treat us with kindness and this is common to all humans.

Additionally, as social animals, we need others’ kindness to survive. As with all mammals and birds, we are not self-sufficient at birth, or even for several years thereafter. In infancy, without maternal care and the care of others, we would quickly perish. Therefore, this basic need for care means that even on a cellular level–deep within our biology and physiology–we respond to kindness. We are interdependent and our bodies know it.

For instance, our nervous system is wired in a way that affective touch, such as the kind or loving touch of someone we feel close to, activates different parts of the brain (the posterior insular cortex and anterior cingulate cortex). This is different from discriminative touch–the touch we use to feel something ourselves (which primarily activates the somatosensory cortex)–which activates different nerve fibres. Affective touch can make us feel relaxed, safe and calm, activating our parasympathetic or “rest and digest” response–but typically only if our brain interprets it as coming from a kind, non-threatening source. If the touch comes from someone we don’t like, it can have quite the opposite effect, causing us stress and a completely different (and less healthy) physiological and chemical response in our body. This activation of the sympathetic nervous system (the “flight or fight response”) can cause the release of stress hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol) in our bodies, elevating heart rate and blood pressure, and increasing inflammation. This activation occurs when we perceive another’s touch as unkind.

A great deal of research has emerged on the long-term importance of affective touch for infants as well as its impact on adults. From this we can see that kindness is not a mere concept in our heads; it is also a biological reality in our bodies. There are multiple layers of complexity to the science of kindness that we have yet to explore.

We can see that kindness supports happiness and flourishing even on social, national and international levels. ‘The World Happiness Report’, a project undertaken by the United Nations, has shown that even more than economic factors, happiness and life satisfaction are facilitated by factors such as trust and social support, which are themselves manifestations of kindness. It should come as no surprise to us that kinder societies are happier societies; it may, however, be surprising to some to know that kindness is even more important than wealth. In fact, contrary to the idea that simply having more wealth results in more happiness, data from the 2019 World Happiness Report suggest that generosity (showing kindness by giving wealth away) is also positively correlated with happiness in societies. This coincides with other data showing that we tend to feel rewarded when we act kindly and benefit others.

Paul J. Zak is founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University.   He has a Ph.D. in economics from University of Pennsylvania, and post-doctoral training in neuroimaging from Harvard. Dr. Zak’s lab discovered in 2004 that an ancient chemical in our brains, oxytocin, allows us to determine who to trust.

In experiments run over the last 10 to 15 years, in Dr. Zak’s lab and in his field, he and his colleagues have shown that the brain chemical oxytocin is released when someone is nice to us in objective ways (for example, when a stranger shares money with us). Oxytocin is the mammalian signal that tells mothers (and in some species fathers) to care for their offspring. It is the chemical basis for parental love. What we’ve shown is that oxytocin release is stimulated by acts of kindness or trust by complete strangers. The feeling people get when their brains release oxytocin is one of empathy or emotional connection.

Empathy is the product of a brain circuit Dr. Zak calls HOME (for Human Oxytocin Mediated Empathy). How does this brain circuit work? Oxytocin does not work alone. It activates a brain circulate that makes it feel good to do good for others. The HOME circuit does this by giving us a feeling of pleasure when we help others and by reducing our anxiety when we have a positive social interaction. Our brains are designed to engage with strangers and to care about them. This is what it means to be a social creature.

The distinction between romantic love and non-romantic love is clear: Biologically they appear to be quite similar and to use oxytocin and the HOME circuit. They may feel differently, but nature is conservative and reuses brain circuits for many purposes.   Dr. Zak states he thinks this is good though. All love is good and valuable and important. For example, Dr. Zak with colleagues showed experimentally that touch releases oxytocin so he started hugging people instead of shaking hands at work. This earned him the nickname “Dr. Love.” At first this was a bit embarrassing to the doctor he stated but then he started to think, what better thing can he do on the planet but to give people love so now he states he is happy to be Dr. Love.

Another view on this topic is,  it’s often said that we should put ourselves in another person’s shoes in order to better understand their point of view. But psychological research suggests this directive leaves something to be desired: When we imagine the inner lives of others, we don’t necessarily gain real insight into other people’s minds.

Instead of imagining ourselves in another person’s position, we need to actually get their perspective, according to a recent study (pdf) in the Journal of Personality and Psychology. Researchers from the University of Chicago and Northeastern University in the US and Ben Gurion University in Israel conducted 25 different experiments with strangers, friends, couples, and spouses to assess the accuracy of insights onto other’s thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and mental states.

Their conclusion, as psychologist Tal Eyal tells Quartz: ”We assume that another person thinks or feels about things as we do, when in fact they often do not. So we often use our own perspective to understand other people, but our perspective is often very different from the other person’s perspective.” This “egocentric bias” leads to inaccurate predictions about other people’s feelings and preferences. When we imagine how a friend feels after getting fired, or how they’ll react to an off-color joke or political position, we’re really just thinking of how we would feel in their situation, according to the study.

Come back tomorrow for part 2

Facts about cardiovascular heart disease by AHA:

• “According to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.
• While medical advances have helped more people live longer with cardiovascular diseases, many of the risk factors which lead to these diseases, including high blood pressure and obesity, continue to grow at alarming rates.
• Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, claim more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths – the #2 and #3 causes of death – combined.”

American Heart Association (Heart disease remains leading cause of death as key health risk factors continue to rise | American Heart Association)

“National Condom Week, celebrated annually from February 14th to February 21st, is not only an opportunity to promote safe sex practices but also to raise awareness about the importance of protecting oneself and others against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.

One of the key messages emphasized during National Condom Week is that condoms are the only form of birth control that protect against both STIs and unintended pregnancies. Unlike other contraceptive methods, condoms create a barrier that prevents bodily fluids from coming into contact with one another, reducing the risk of transmission of STIs such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

It’s essential to recognize that correct and consistent condom use significantly reduces the likelihood of STI transmission, making them a vital tool for protecting your sexual health.  Men make sure no holes in the condom or the purpose has been defeated for preventions for wearing it.

Other Barrier Methods
While external condoms are the most commonly known barrier method, there are other options available for individuals seeking protection against STIs and unplanned pregnancies:

Internal Condoms: Also known as female condoms, these are inserted into the vagina before sex to provide a barrier against sperm and STIs.
Dental Dams: These thin latex or polyurethane sheets are used during oral sex to protect against STIs transmitted through oral-genital contact.
Diaphragms: A shallow, dome-shaped silicone device inserted into the vagina before sex to cover the cervix and prevent sperm from entering the uterus.”

Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, Inc. (National Condom Week: Protect Your Health and Wellbeing | Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties, Inc.)

“Organ Donor Day is celebrated on February 14 annually as a nod to one of the greatest gestures of love. Valentine’s Day celebrates love and what better way to celebrate ultimate love than receiving an organ donation? It is a day to celebrate people who have saved lives in countless ways by donating blood marrow, blood, and organs. Families also remember people who have donated their organs or blood to save their loved ones in their times of need. If you can, donate your blood or tissue today.

Legally, an organ can be taken and transplanted from a donor, either while the donor is still alive or after their death, with the approval of the donor’s family members. Donations can be made to further scientific knowledge or, more typically, healthy organs and tissues might be donated to be transplanted into another person.

It is not uncommon for people to be given organ transplants for a wide range of reasons. A kidney or part of the liver, part of the pancreas, part of the lungs, or intestines can be donated by a living donor, but most organ and tissue donations are made after the donor has died.”

National Today (ORGAN DONOR DAY – February 14, 2025 – National Today)

HISTORY

National Donor Day was started in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partners, with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health organizations.

There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day with National Day Calendar!

February 14th is National Donor Day, which aims to raise awareness of the lifesaving benefits of organ, eye and tissue donation while reminding of the importance of discussing the topic with your loved ones. We encourage you to use National Donor Day to discuss organ, eye and tissue donation with those closest to you.

• What does it mean to sign-up as a donor?

Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor means you have made the decision to donate your organs, eyes and tissues at the time of your death. .

• Start the Conversation

Sometimes starting the conversation can be difficult. Learn a few easy ways to “start the conversation here” on the internet.   It is important to discuss your decision with your family as that will take priority over your family’s preferences. Making the decision for yourself in advance makes it easier for your family during a very difficult time. Discussing donation with loved ones will help them feel confident and prepared when they are presented with information about the donation process.

So #StartTheConversation today and celebrate your heroic choice to save and heal lives with your family!  You can share the love this National Donor Day by starting the conversation with those closest to you.

Let your loved ones know that just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 lives through eye and tissue donation. Learn more about the need for donation and about how individuals can take action by signing up anytime online at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.

Want to join in on social media? Share with your loved ones that you signed up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor and why it’s important to you. Be sure to use the hashtag

#StartTheConversation. Help us spread awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation. Signing up gives hope to the 2,000 people right here in our local region who are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.

Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation. There are nearly 2,000 awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant in our local region. Learn the facts of donation and share with your loved ones.

Many of those waiting may never get a second chance at life as it is estimated that every day in the U.S. 22 patients die because of the lack of donor organs. Many people who have never considered organ donation or have delayed registering to become a donor do so because of inaccurate information or assumptions about organ donation and transplantation.

One of the post common myths about organ donation is that there is an additional cost the organ and tissue donor’s family or their estate. However, there is in fact no cost to the donor’s family for organ, eye and tissue donation. The local, federally-designated organ procurement organization assumes all costs associated with recovering and processing organs and tissues for transplants once death has been declared and authorization is confirmed through either the donor registry, or from the family in lieu of registration. These costs are never passed on to the donor family. Donor Alliance’s culture and values are built on respecting and appreciating the gift of donation, which we have found is a comfort to both donor families and transplant recipients.

Eventually, the costs are reimbursed by transplant centers. Once a transplant is completed, the transplant center will bill private and public insurance plans. Hospital expenses incurred before the donation of organs or tissue and funeral expenses remain the responsibility of the donor’s family.

Treat your sweetheart tomorrow including a friend, family member, or yourself if you want to a present that cultivates cardiovascular health; it still is heart month.

“5 heartfelt gift ideas for Valentine’s Day – Harvard Health

1-Making home-cooked meals is one of the best things you can do for your cardiovascular health. Research suggests that people who eat more meals made at home tend to weigh less and have healthier cholesterol and blood sugar values compared with people who eat out frequently. “You can control the amount of saturated fat, salt, and sugar in food you make yourself. You’ll also avoid the preservatives, additives, and dyes found in convenience foods like frozen dinners and other processed foods,” says Dr. Frates.

2-Both strawberries and dark chocolate contain beneficial plant compounds called flavonoids, which are thought to improve cardiovascular health by relaxing blood vessels, improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and discouraging blood clots. Studies have linked diets rich in flavonoids to a lower risk of heart attacks and related problems.

3-Custom fit sneakers-If people walk, jog, or hike in shoes that don’t fit properly, they can run into problems, says Dr. Frates. For example, ill-fitting shoes can cause blisters, put pressure on bunions, or leave you vulnerable to plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the fibrous band of tissue on the bottom of the foot) and Achilles tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel). Some experts recommend replacing your walking shoes at least every 300 to 500 miles, which translates to a new pair every six to 12 months if you regularly walk about three miles per day.

4-Luxury Sleep Products-Getting at least seven hours of sleep each night is vital for cardiovascular health, says Dr. Frates. Insufficient sleep can raise your risk for weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Creating a sleep sanctuary that’s quiet, dark, and comfortable can make it easier to fall and stay asleep.

5-A subscription to a meditation app.-Meditation and mindfulness have been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increase heart rate variability (microsecond time differences from one heartbeat to the next), all of which are linked to better heart health. “A regular meditation practice can help you to better manage stress, which is an unavoidable part of life,” says Dr. Frates.

By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Have a healthy and happy Valentine’s day tomorrow!

“February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)
A national health observance to promote the benefits of good oral health, brought to you by the ADA.

National Children’s Dental Health Month observances began with a one-day event in Cleveland and a one-week celebration in Akron, Ohio, in February 1941.

Since then, the concept has snowballed into a nationwide program, bringing together thousands of dedicated professionals, health care providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.

The theme this year is “Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles!”

The ADA held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8, 1949. The one-day event became a weeklong event in 1955, and in 1981 the program was extended to a monthlong celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

“I am passionate about increasing access and advocating for improving the oral health of all Americans, and I believe there’s no better or easier place to start than with improving the oral health for our nation’s children,” said Elizabeth Simpson, D.M.D., chair of the ADA Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention. “When we can get all children to the dentist, create positive experiences at the dental office for them and start then early with prevention and oral health education, it’s fair to hope that those patterns started in childhood can last a lifetime. I hope that people will find a way in whatever practice modality they practice to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month.”

The NCDHM Program Planning Guide provides program coordinators, dental societies, teachers and parents with resources to promote the benefits of good oral health to children. The guide includes easy-to-do activities, program planning timetable tips, a sample NCDHM proclamation and more.

The planning guide is an accompaniment to the annual postcard and poster program run by the ADA. This year, the Association received orders for 151,010 posters and postcards, which exceeds last year’s total amount of 115,000.

“Whether you hold a Give Kids A Smile event or volunteer in an elementary school and teach children about the dental profession and oral health, no action is too small, and all actions are needed as pieces of the puzzle to improve oral health outcomes for our children,” Dr. Simpson said.

Give Kids A Smile, which traditionally kick offs each February, is the signature access-to-care program of the ADA Foundation. Each year, about 65,500 dentists and 20,000 dental team members volunteer at local Give Kids A Smile events across the country to provide free oral health education, screenings, preventive, and restorative treatment to about 300,000 children. More than 7 million underserved children have received free oral health services since its inception more than two decades ago.”

ADA News (National Children’s Dental Health Month kicks off across country in February | American Dental Association)

“February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), and the 2025 theme, “Respect That,” focuses on the importance of respect in all relationships.

Dating violence is more common than many realize—about 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. experiences some form of abuse from a dating partner. It can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, and may take place in person or online.

Teen dating violence includes physical, emotional, verbal, or digital abuse. As a parent or caregiver, you play a key role in educating your teen about what a healthy relationship looks like and how to recognize unhealthy behaviors.

Teen dating violence is any action by a partner meant to harm, manipulate, or control the other person. It can include:

• Physical violence: Actions like hitting, pushing, or restraining.
• Emotional abuse: Manipulation, humiliation, or constant criticism.
• Sexual violence: Coercion or forcing unwanted physical acts.
• Verbal abuse: Name-calling, yelling, or making threats.
• Digital abuse: Monitoring social media accounts, excessive texting, or sharing private images without consent.”

Pillars Community Health (Talking to Your Teen About Safe Relationships | Pillars Community Health)

“According to the infographic—which sources information from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, among others—there are a number of items that responsible pet parents need to be aware of, including:

• Finances: It is important that pet parents understand the financial cost of properly caring for a cat or dog—which when considering routine veterinary care, food, toys, training, grooming, and other expenses—can costs hundreds of dollars a year.
• Vaccines: In addition to regular care, pet parents should consult with their veterinarian about vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and other preventive measures that can protect cats and dogs from a range of potentially deadly diseases.
• Protection: According to the AVMA, more than 10 million cats and dogs are lost or stolen every year, and one-third of pets will become lost at some point in their life. Microchipping your pet greatly increases the chances that they will be recovered if lost or stolen.

“Now more than ever, we consider our pets to be members of the family, so it is essential that people understand all that goes into being a responsible pet parent,” said Fran Dirksmeier, President, Henry Schein Animal Health, North America. “We encourage veterinarians to download this infographic and share it with their clients so they can be the best pet parents possible. Through regular veterinary visits, a healthy diet, and lots of exercise, we can ensure our pets live long, healthy, and happy lives.”

Henry Schein/solutions for health care professionals (Henry Schein Recognizes Responsible Pet Owners Month By Reminding Pet Parents To Take Their Pets To The Vet – Henry Schein)