Do Good, Feel Good

Mark R. Osherow's book, "Do Good, Feel Good: That's My Religion," promotes kindness as a philosophy and way of life. It explores the science behind the positive effects of kindness, both for the giver and receiver, and offers practical strategies for incorporating kindness into daily life, relationships, work, and the global community. The book includes numerous real-life examples and exercises to help readers cultivate kindness, overcome barriers, and build a lasting legacy of positive impact. A companion workbook provides additional tools and activities for self-reflection and goal setting.

The book includes practical advice, exercises, and real-life examples to inspire readers to incorporate kindness into their daily routines.

• The Philosophy of Kindness: Kindness is a universal language that binds us as human beings and has the power to transform lives and create ripples of positivity in the world.12
• The Science of Kindness: Acts of kindness stimulate the brain's reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, which improve emotional and physical health.34
• Everyday Acts of Kindness: Incorporating small, consistent acts of kindness into daily routines can have a significant impact on both the giver and receiver, creating a habit of kindness.56
• Overcoming Barriers to Kindness: Common barriers such as fear of rejection, lack of time, and cynicism can be overcome by reframing kindness as a mindset and focusing on small, meaningful actions.78
• Kindness in Relationships: Kindness strengthens relationships by fostering trust, empathy, and emotional intimacy, even during challenging moments.910
• Kindness in the Workplace: Creating a culture of kindness in professional settings improves team dynamics, job satisfaction, and overall productivity.1112
• Community Kindness: Small efforts in local communities, such as helping neighbors or supporting local causes, can create a ripple effect of positive change.1314
• Global Kindness: Extending kindness globally through support for international causes and sustainable practices helps address global challenges and fosters empathy across cultures.1516
• Teaching Kindness to the Next Generation: Instilling kindness in children through role modeling, storytelling, and engaging acts of service creates a generation that values compassion and cooperation.1718
• Self-Care as an Act of Kindness: Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining well-being and ensuring the capacity to extend kindness to others.1920
• The Philosophy of "Do Good, Feel Good":
• The central thesis is that "doing good" and "feeling good" are intrinsically linked. Osherow states, "It's a philosophy as old as humanity itself: Do good, feel good. That's my religion."
• The book emphasizes that acts of kindness, no matter how small, are never wasted and have the power to transform lives and create ripples of positivity. As stated in the introduction, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop"
• It stresses that kindness should not be mistaken for weakness but is a powerful force for connection and change. The author mentions that "kindness should never be confused with weakness. Quite to the contrary."