Compassion toward others—defined as noticing another's suffering combined with a motivation to help—has been linked to substantial benefits for the person extending compassion. These include enhanced mental health, physical health, stronger relationships, and greater overall well-being. This is an updated review incorporating evidence from peer-reviewed studies, including longitudinal research, meta-analyses, and experimental trials.

1. Improved Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

Practicing compassion toward others is associated with lower depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness, alongside higher happiness and life satisfaction.

- A 5-year longitudinal study of 1,090 adults found that higher compassion toward others (independent of self-compassion) predicted significant reductions in depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and loneliness over time, while increasing resilience, optimism, and life satisfaction.

 Lee, E. E., et al. (2021). Compassion toward others and self-compassion predict mental and physical well-being: A 5-year longitudinal study. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 397. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01491-8

- Performing acts of kindness (a direct expression of compassion) reliably increases happiness and well-being. A meta-analysis of 27 experimental studies (N=4,045) found a small-to-medium effect (δ = 0.28) of kindness interventions on the actor's well-being.

Curry, O. S., et al. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2018.02.014

2. Better Physical Health and Longevity

Compassionate and prosocial behaviors buffer stress responses, reduce inflammation, and are linked to longer life.

- Helping others mitigates the mortality risk associated with high stress. In a large longitudinal study (N>800), stressful life events predicted higher mortality—but only among those who did not help others. Those who engaged in compassionate helping showed no such increased risk.

Poulin, M. J., et al. (2013). Giving to others and the association between stress and mortality. American Journal of Public Health, 103(9), 1649–1655. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2012.300876

- Volunteering (often motivated by compassion) is associated with lower mortality and better physical functioning in older adults. An outcome-wide longitudinal study of U.S. adults aged 50+ found that volunteering ≥100 hours/year predicted reduced mortality risk and physical limitations over 4 years, alongside higher physical activity.

Kim, E. S., et al. (2020). Volunteering and subsequent health and well-being in older adults: An outcome-wide longitudinal approach. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 59(2), 176–186. DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.03.004 

 3. Stronger Relationships and Social Connections

Compassion fosters trust, forgiveness, and deeper bonds, making it a key predictor of relationship quality.

-          Compassion toward others independently predicted lower loneliness over 5 years.

Lee, E. E., et al. (2021). Compassion toward others and self-compassion predict mental and physical well-being: A 5-year longitudinal study. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 397. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01491-8

4. Resilience and Flourishing via Compassion Training

Structured compassion practices (e.g., loving-kindness meditation) reliably boost compassion and well-being.

- A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions (including loving-kindness) found moderate effects on compassion, empathy, and prosocial behavior, with benefits for both self-reported and observable outcomes.

Luberto, C. M., et al. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of meditation on empathy, compassion, and prosocial behaviors. *Mindfulness*, 9, 708–724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0841-8

In summary, compassion toward others, paired with action is not merely altruistic—it robustly enhances the giver's mental and physical health, relationships, and longevity through stress-buffering, reward activation, and social reinforcement. These effects are supported by longitudinal, experimental, and meta-analytic evidence, creating a virtuous cycle where helping others improves one's own life. Daily acts of kindness, volunteering, or compassion meditation are practical, evidence-based ways to cultivate it.