Nearly 10% of U.S. adults experience at least one depressive episode each year, and nearly 20% have an anxiety disorder, making depression and anxiety two of the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. For those living with either, finding relief from symptoms can be difficult. But a new research study finds that people can get some relief by doing one simple thing: an act of kindness.

For the study, the research team recruited a group of 122 people from central Ohio who all reported symptoms of stress, depression, or anxiety. They split the participants into three groups; two groups underwent a type of cognitive behavioral therapy each — planning social outings and cognitive reappraisal — and the third performed acts of kindness. Members of the first group planned social activities for two days per week, the cognitive reappraisal group journaled for at least two days per week to recognize and address negative thought patterns, and the third group performed three acts of kindness for two days per week. The intervention […]