"You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." — The 14th Dalai Lama.

"Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person's life." — Jackie Chan

All sorts of people understand that kindness has amazing powers. One of those powers, as Chan said, is the ability to change a person's life.

And according to researchers at Ohio State, it's not just the recipient's life that's changed; the life of the person who is being kind is changed too.

Psychologists studied 122 people who had moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and discovered that performing acts of kindness — from giving someone a ride to leaving sticky notes for roommates with words of encouragement — was an effective way to combat emotional distress.

In fact, performing such gestures three times a day for two days was better treatment than going through two forms of cognitive behavioral therapy that are often used to battle the blues.

The act of kindness forges a sense of connectedness and that's one of the keys to alleviating depression and other psychological stresses. It also boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine — neurotransmitters that increase feelings of well-being.

If you're feeling down or a bit wound up, make a list of acts of kindness you will do today ... and in days to come. You'll make the world a kinder place, and you'll feel happier as well.