Is being kind good for you? - 6 Minute English

How do you feel when you are kind to someone? The benefits of kindness have been attracting the attention of psychologists in recent years. Neil and Sam open their hearts, talk about the topic and teach you related vocabulary.

This week's question
In 2021, a global survey conducted for the BBC’s ‘Kindness Test’ asked people to name their top five random acts of kindness. So which kind act came top?
a) giving someone a smile
b) giving someone a hug
c) giving someone your time to just listen
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
random act of kindness
small action done to help someone else or to make them feel happy

counter-intuitive
not happening in the way you would expect it to

yummy
delicious; tasting very good

warm glow
inner feeling of happiness at doing something kind for others

compassion
strong feeling of empathy for the suffering of others and a wish to help them

fluffy
soft and woolly; considered not serious or important

[Cover: Getty Images]

You can download transcript and audio on our website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220303

More 6 Minute English episodes:
Eating bugs
https://youtu.be/n5p85sRPTLo

The benefits of boredom
https://youtu.be/8XOA3-XwTaQ

Personalised diets
https://youtu.be/dJZ9CSbGueU

How green is nuclear energy?
https://youtu.be/naB_3XYRtew

Why we forget the things we learn
https://youtu.be/1iHeeMlOsyc

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