Kindness not only makes the world a happier place, it benefits your mental and physical state. Kindness and optimism go hand in hand – treating others well can boost your confidence by adding positivity into the community, and it can encourage and influence others to be kind. You also don’t know how much that random act of kindness can mean to someone’s mental health at the time.
Good for the body
Human existence is all about having a purpose in life; it’s the reason why a lot of us tend to get out of bed in the morning. Kindness has been linked to boosting self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improving your overall mood. It can decrease things such as blood pressure as it can actually de-stress your mood. According to studies, people who are able to balance out their moods tend to be happier and live longer.
Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve your mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol (a stress hormone) which directly impacts stress levels, therefore balancing your overall mood. Studies indicate that people who are able to balance their moods also tend to be healthier and live longer.
Kindness also increases your sense of connectivity with others, naturally enhancing your relationships, and having a positive direct impact on feelings of loneliness. Plus, being kind is contagious – why would you not want to pass that on?
Looking for ways to show kindness can also give you a focus activity, especially if you tend to be anxious or stressed in some social situations. Even something as simple as smiling at someone or holding the door open after you can actually help you physically as well as mentally, as it provides a level of comfort and connection with the people around you.
For a shortcut, try to perform some random acts of kindness throughout your week. Hold the door open for others, tip that little bit extra, or just smile at people a bit more!
Good for the mind
Ok, time to step up the scientific terminology up a notch. Being kind can positively impact your mind by boosting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. These are the neurotransmitters that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being, the same pleasurble feelings that come from eating food or having sex.
Be kind to yourself
By being kinder to yourself, you can practice gratitude. Give yourself pep talks, and reduce that negative energy about yourself. Eliminate that vicious negative cycle of regularly getting yourself down, look in the mirror and be kind to yourself – you deserve it! Think about it this way: talk to yourself the same way you’d talk to your friend. What you wouldn’t say to your friend, you should never say to yourself.