Being kind makes you happy

‘Treat everyone with politeness and kindness, not because they are nice, but because you are’ –

Roy Bennett

Most mornings I leave the house with the intention to do a few acts of kindness during the school run. That is a bit cheating as it is so easy. Give way to a car, let children cross the road, say thank you with a smile……… However, when I am in a grumpy mood I forget all about it. I don’t do anything wrong, but I am not very kind.

And with that behaviour, I am not doing myself any favours. Research into kindness reveals the many benefits.

Kindness is a muscle and the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.

How it pays off to be kind:

  1. Increases happiness 

‘Helper’s high’, feeling better yourself because you are doing something for somebody else, is caused by the production of dopamine. This is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy.

  1. Kindness is contagious 

By performing an act of kindness you are stimulating others to be kind as well. If someone gave way to you in your car, aren’t you more inclined to give way yourself?

  1. Helps you age better

Acts of kindness and emotional warmth produce the hormone oxytocin, which reduces inflammation in the cardiovascular system and in turn slows ageing in the body (research).

  1. Kindness: the positive spiral

Kindness is the gift that keeps on giving. It increase happiness, being happy makes it easy to be kind – ‘a positive feedback loop’. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.

Most of my clients don’t know how to be kind to themselves and I would invite all of you to pay attention to how you treat yourself. Are you beating yourself up? Are you saying things to yourself you wouldn’t dream of saying to a friend?

Be kind to yourself, be kind to others and feel happier.

Struggling to be kind to yourself? I would love to help you through a free coaching session that will leave you with a plan of action to make the right changes. Book your free session here.

 

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