REASONS TO BE KIND
Many types of research and studies conducted throughout the years have found that there are numerous reasons to be kind.
For instance, engaging in acts of kindness provides us with benefits that boost our well-being and help us handle life’s everyday challenges.
As a result, kindness is the only key to true happiness. So much so that a kind word or a kind deed has the power to unlock even the heaviest heart.
So, let’s look into the reasons to be kind and how being kind will improve your life:
KINDNESS IMPROVES YOUR MOOD
Believe it or not, being kind to others can improve your overall mood. How? Well, acts of kindness trigger our system to release serotonin and oxytocin, also known as happy hormones. These happy hormones have a powerful effect on making us feel emotionally stable and fulfilled.
By the way, being kind may boost your mood, but research has also shown that being in a good mood can make you more kind. This makes a wonderful two-way relationship that just keeps giving.
ONE OF THE BEST REASONS TO BE KIND IS THAT IT REDUCES STRESS
Whenever you feel stressed, take a breath. Then find someone who could use your help. Seriously, doing good deeds can be truly beneficial for our health. Studies show that when stressed, we naturally seek out opportunities to nurture others to alleviate our stress. Remember, we’re looking for that happy hormone feeling.
BEING NICE TO OTHERS BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNITY
Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy, and compassion. But it can also decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone, which directly impacts stress levels.
While high cortisol levels impact your immune system, engaging in acts of kindness has the opposite effect. The nicer we are, the more the levels of our happy hormones increase, and the higher our immunity rises. That’s a win, win!
MORE REASONS TO BE KIND, IT’S CONTAGIOUS
We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine, but did you know that kindness is contagious? Yes, that’s right, people can catch kindness. Cooperative behavior can spread from one person to another, multiply and cause the ripple effect of happiness. Kind behavior can cascade through a social network and spread to three degrees of separation. In short, kindness will spread physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
ACTS OF KINDNESS CAN HELP YOU OVERCOME SOCIAL ANXIETY
Social anxiety and social avoidance have both been linked to negative social experiences. Both of which are very harmful to socially anxious individuals. One of the biggest obstacles to why people struggle is that their anxiety causes them to fear other people’s reactions.
However, studies have shown that kindness can be the perfect icebreaker and conversation starter. When socially anxious people approach others with kindness, this slowly helps them avoid their fears and focus on socializing.
BEING KIND INCREASES YOUR ENERGY LEVELS
Admit it, there’s something deeply satisfying and heart-warming about helping people and making others happy. No matter how low your spirits are, the energy you receive from people’s gratitude has the power to increase your energy levels and boost your confidence.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REASONS TO BE KIND, IT MAKES YOU HAPPIER
It’s really that simple. Whenever we do a good deed for a person, the overwhelming feeling of happiness is simply inevitable. We feel good because we are the reason behind someone’s smile. That feeling triggers the release of the happy hormones, which help us achieve that natural high. This chain reaction makes us happier and more fulfilled.
So, now you know the reasons to be kind. However, you can’t just know about the reasons; you have to put them into play if you want to reap the benefits.
ONE FINAL NOTE, BE KIND TO YOURSELF!
Being kind doesn’t mean you have to compromise your needs. You can be a kind person and still set boundaries, say no, stick up for yourself and not agree with someone. You can also be selective about who you keep in your life and be in a bad mood without hiding it.
So, set out and challenge yourself to do kind things for others. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose especially if you don’t have to compromise.
If you enjoyed this post, watch for our post on gratitude coming out on June 4th. Learn how being grateful for just one week can have a positive effect that lasts up to six months.
Until next time, keep smiling because a smile is the shortest distance between two people!
