Kindness is a practice not a project…
It is quite obvious that treating people well is not only beneficial to others but it also boosts our mental and physical health. Since small gestures have big importance, practising kindness is an easy way to be healthy.
Psychology researcher Barbara Fredrickson, author of Love 2.0: Creating Happiness and Health in Moments of Connection, studies how “micro-moments” of connection with others, like sharing a smile or expressing concern, help to improve emotional resilience, boost the immune system, and reduce susceptibility to depression and anxiety.
According to her, our psyches need affirmative human connection in the same way that our bodies need food. “Moments of uplifting positive emotions function like nutrients for creativity, growth, and health.”
What is Kindness?
“Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person.” -Plato
Kindness simply is a positive action that leaves someone in a better situation than before. It need not be extravagant. The world has paused since pandemic and many of us are going through lot of problems- financial, emotional, physical, relationships and so on- the least we can do to support each other though these tough times is be kind to one another. A kind word or smile can give hope to someone that the world can be a positive place and that they are valued by others. This may help ward off feelings of hopelessness and anxiety.
Is being kind helpful?
Some people believe that showing kindness and compassion is a weakness and will only lead to being taken advantage of. However, kindness is fundamental to the human existence – we’re literally wired for it.
Kindness is not something that demands hard work or huge amounts of time. It’s something all of us can strive to achieve every day. Being kind helps you and others too.
Kindness – Power of this simple action
- Kindness boosts Immune system- Oxytocin, our brain’s feel-good hormone is released when we are being kind. So instead of depending on others to be kind to us, we can boost our own oxytocin by being good to others.
- Being Kind is good for your heart- Kindness is an addictive habit you can start that will be appreciated by your heart.
- Being Kind reduces anxiety- kindness helps in increasing the positive affect.
- Boost happiness- The ‘helper’s high’ brings a biochemical change. Our brain’s pleasure centre lights up as a reward for being kind causing a dopamine rush – a hormone that is strongly associated with feelings of happiness.
- Boost levels of serotonin– Serotonin is responsible for positive mood, overall mood regulation and general wellbeing. It has benefits for memory, learning and brain function.
- Kindness strengthens our social relationships and connectivity.
- It allows humility and shared humanity– We need this more than ever to counter increased stress and mental health difficulties in the world.
Science and studies show that being kind and helpful clearly has a positive and uplifting effect on those carrying out the act.
Kindness – Make it a habit…
- Be kind to yourself- You can’t develop a complete acts of kindness habit without being kind to yourself. Forgive yourself for mistakes, compliment yourself, smile at your reflection in the mirror, and speak about yourself in positive terms.
- Smile- Smiling not only creates good feelings within yourself, it cheers others. Be sure to give a true smile.
- Keep your thoughts positive– Your mindset is important when adopting a kindness habit. Compliment someone or tell them you appreciate them. Hold the door for a stranger. These things can help breed positivity.
- Show appreciation- Saying a simple “thank you” takes less than 10 seconds to do, but its impact can have long lasting effects.
Be kinder to yourself. And let your kindness flood the world…
Dr. Owen Fernandes, MBA
