10 ways being kind improves your wellbeing
Isn’t it strange that ‘kindness’ is such a warm and fuzzy paradox that, we become happier when we make others happy? You may have received a random act of kindness from a stranger at some point of time in your life. It could’ve been a message from a friend, out of the blue, just checking in on you, or maybe something as simple as someone holding the door for you.
But what is this ‘good’ feeling you just experienced and why did it make you want to do good for others too? Well, it's your brain’s reward center releasing pain-relieving chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine that contribute to your mental and physical wellbeing.
You see in kindness, the act of being kind doesn't just benefit the recipient; it also has a positive impact on the giver. It is known to significantly reduce stress, elevate your mood, and make you even calmer.
And trust us everyone is capable of kindness. Being kind is a sort of superpower we all possess, and it's not just about making the world a better place – it's about making your own life better, too!
It is a chaotic world that we live in and it doesn't take much effort to just snapping at someone when you have a bad day. We as humans, sure have had those moments too. But guess what it takes even less effort to be kinder. Kindness is a simple yet powerful virtue that can profoundly affect our overall wellbeing.
There is enough and more evidence on the internet that indicates kindness may benefit your emotional, mental, and physical health in a variety of ways. According to one article published in 2020 by the Mental Health Foundation in the United Kingdom, 63% of UK adults agree that being kind to others 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.
A good 46% of respondents in a different survey called "Ask Your Target Market" claimed they believe themselves to be extremely kind. In terms of friendliness, almost 40% rated themselves a 4 out of 5. Almost 13% rated themselves a 3 out of 5. Only 1% rated themselves a 2 out of 5. And less than 1% stated they do not consider themselves to be nice at all.
With that, you can rest assured, that kindness is a small yet effective way to improve your mental health. In this blog, we will explore 10 simple ways being kind improves your wellbeing.
So grab a coffee and let’s get going!
Here are the 10 simple ways being kind improves your wellbeing
The ‘helper’s high’
Oftentimes, when you do something good out of the blue for anyone, you feel a certain type of a ‘good’ feeling. Well from a spiritual point of view, you feel like that this was the right thing to do. But from a chemical point of view, this is caused because of elevated levels in the brain and so that's how we feel that natural high.
How kindness helps in anti-aging
Let’s all agree to the fact that the more stress you take, the more it manifests in your appearance and even in your lifestyle choices. The two factors responsible are free radicals and inflammation. A study involving the ‘Buddhist’s Loving Kindness Compassion’ meditation found that compassion and simple acts of kindness reduced inflammation in the body due to its effects on the vagus nerve, thus making your look a lot better and younger.
How it helps with ‘positive effect’
A common experience we have all had is a shudder of nervousness or panic. It's okay to be overwhelmed by these emotions. But you can work on these emotions with simple but steady acts of kindness. This way you nurture your confidence a little every day. A study conducted by the University of British Columbia states that participants who engaged in steady acts of kindness showed a rise in Positive Affect, which is basically a person’s ability to experience emotions like happiness, interest and alertness.
Kindness helps in establishing a connection
It’s quite simple, the kinder you are the better your relationships with others. It helps build and strengthen social connections. It often encourages reciprocity, leading to the formation of deeper and more meaningful relationships.
Kindness as an endless loop of kindness
The moment you do something good for someone, it automatically inspires them to do good for others. This is a ripple effect of sorts. This is because there is a certain warm and fuzzy emotion that comes from a genuine place in your heart to naturally feel like doing something good for someone. Now that someone goes ahead and does something nice for another person…And so you trigger off an endless loop of kindness.
Replace negative emotions with acts of kindness
A simple mantra to deal with negative emotions or negative feelings or even feelings of resentment, hatred, anger, or even stress is by performing acts of kindness. Whether you are doing an act of kindness or receiving an act of kindness this has shown tremendous progress in elevating negative emotions and making you feel much more lighter than before.
Kindness helps in enhancing self esteem
We all know how good it feels when you receive positive feedback or gratitude from those whom you help. What this does is; it helps enhance your sense of self-worth and in turn, contributes to a healthier happier self-image.
A good chance to make new friends
When you engage in an act of kindness it often involves others too so that's how you can increase your social interactions, help fight feelings of loneliness and isolation, and nurture a sense of belonging and a strong connection.
Kindness helps in maintaining positive relationships
Be it a romantic relationship, a simple friendship, or even a professional relationship; the key ingredient to maintaining positive relationships is kindness. When you treat others with this special ingredient called kindness you are not only fostering trust, but you are also nurturing a connection with the person. These positive relationships eventually provide a valuable support system for your mental health and wellbeing.
Kindness as a happy investment
Lastly, another distinctive characteristic of kindness is the ability for it to be like a positive feedback loop. When you perform an act of kindness whether it is big or small; it generates rapids of emotions for both parties, the recipient and yourself. Kindness is a sort of happiness investment where dividends are paid not just in the moment but over time.
On the contrary, kindness is not just a momentary or a temporary feeling of happiness but it has its enduring positive influence on mental health too. It is a dynamic act that continues to help you shape and enhance your wellbeing creating a sustained repository of positive emotions. and so when you make the whole act of kindness a regular practice you not only contribute to the happiness of people around you but you also ensure a robust foundation for your as well as their mental health journey too.
If you are wondering where to start and how you can begin your journey toward a healthier happier you; well you are in the right place. Your wellbeing is important and we at Mana Wellness help you thrive.
Get in touch with us today!