“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
― Aesop
Being kind not only has a direct effect on others, but it has a positive impact on yourself as well. Everybody can use a little bit of kindness in their life, and on World Kindness Day, it is an ideal time to start sharing the love.
There is science behind this too, not just a ‘feeling’. Studies show kindness increases key feel good neurotransmitters within your limbic brain. Witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, occasionally referred to as the ‘love hormone’ which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re anxious or shy in a social situation.
Kindness also decreases pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. Like most medical antidepressants, kindness stimulates the production of serotonin. This feel-good chemical heals your wounds, calms you down, and makes you happy!
Kindness drives greater wellbeing
A recent UK survey carried out by Gov.uk and the Mental Health Foundation as part of World Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, found that 63% of UK adults agree that when other people are kind it has a positive impact on their mental health, and the same proportion agree that being kind to others has a positive impact on their mental health.
Across a range of studies, people who carry out acts of kindness are found to experience greater wellbeing. This seems to be the case regardless of whether the recipient of our kindness is those close to us, society more broadly, or ourselves. There is even some evidence to suggest that simply remembering kind things we have done in the past may increase our wellbeing.
How to show kindness
Of course, being kind is pretty self-explanatory, but there are a variety of ways that you can show it. Whether it is opening a door for someone or delivering a bunch of flowers, kindness can have a greater impact than you think. It is one of the greatest attributes that someone can have.
Being kind also doesn’t need to look or be extravagant. Sometimes the simplest things make the difference! Whether you are in the workplace, at school, with your loved ones, or even while out running errands, look for opportunities while you go through your day to infuse kindness. Here are some ideas:
- Smile when you walk by others
- Write positive messages on post-it notes and leave them for people to find
- Call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while
- Tell a family member or friend you love them
- Offer to help with someone’s errands
- Give a surprise gift to someone you care about
- Send a kind card or note to a friend
- Tidy up around your house
- Pick up litter you see on the ground outside and throw it in bin
- Hold the door open for someone
- Chat with a stranger and ask them about their day
- Pay for a stranger’s coffee or meal
- Compliment someone
- Send a positive or encouraging text to five people in your contacts
- Surprise someone with flowers
- Surprise co-workers with home-baked cookies or treats
- Plant a tree
- Spend less time on your phone and more time with people you care about
- Organize a workplace giving campaign
- Offer a classmate help with homework
- Talk to someone new
- Practice gratitude
- Volunteer
Feel free to use any of these ideas (you’re welcome!) …… or get creative and make your list of kind acts for World Kindness Day!
