For some odd reason, I geek out on the craziest topics like, “ways that kindness can make you a better person.” I suppose everyone is entitled to their nerdiness (is that even a word?). My nerdiness just happens to be all things, self improvement, happiness, physical and emotional wellbeing, great life giving relationships, making this world a better place, etc. Any way, you get the picture. 🙂 As I research these various topics, I find that I can’t contain myself. I’m compelled to share it with the world.
So, here we are.
How would you like to look better, feel happier, improve your relationships, and maybe even live longer? I know I would. Well, it turns out that injecting a bit more kindness into your life can help you with this. It seems like common sense, but it’s actually more than just common sense. There is actually scientific studies that support the powerful ways kindness will make you a better person.
So without further adieu, here are the 5 ways that kindness will make you a better person:
- Kindness Can Have Positive Effects on Your Overall Health: Kindness can make you a better person by making you a healthier version of yourself. According to an article in the AIFC, “Practicing kindness has a profound effect on our own mental & physiological health, helping us to become happier and compassionate towards others. Being kind to others has been known to help boost our own immune system, slow down aging, elevate our self esteem and improve blood pressure. Both practicing and witnessing acts of kindness can help reduce blood pressure by producing oxytocin, known as the ‘love hormone.’ Oxytocin causes the release of nitric acid in the blood vessels which effectively expands the blood vessels thus reducing blood pressure.’ Self-esteem, a better outlook on life (optimism) and a healthy heart are said to be the benefits of kindness.”
- Kindness Makes Your Happier: You may ask yourself, which came first the chicken or the egg? In other words, are happier people kinder or does kindness lead to happiness? Both are true. It seems that people who are generally happy find it easier to be kinder to others. However, the reverse is also true (and backed by a bit of research), kindness will make you a better person by making you a happier person. Let’s look at the brain’s role in this transaction. When you give a gift or a helping hand, without any ulterior motives, the brain experiences a release of dopamine. If you know your hormones and neurotransmitters, then you know that dopamine is referred to as the “feel good hormone”. It is highly associated with feelings of bliss, motivation and even concentration. Kindness might not solve all of your problems, but it’s safe to say that kindness can make you a bit happier.
- Kindness Can Improve Your Relationships: Duh?? I know, right? This makes complete sense. But how many times a day do we even think about this particular way that kindness can make you a better person? Deep inside we all want to improve our relationships. But, we tend to overlook the obvious baby steps that are right in front of us for some big pie in the sky transformation. Kindness improves relationships because it closes the gap between people. Kindness creates intimacy. It’s hard to be cold and distant from a person who is being genuinely (not fake and dripping with ulterior motives) nice to you. Simply being kind to someone can heal, or even begin a connection to that person. It strengthens old friendships and can create new ones. If you want to strengthen or create strong interpersonal relationships, practice kindness on a daily basis. Before you know it, it will be an established habit.
- Kindness May Help You Live Longer: The truth is that being unkind to people typically will have more of a negative impact on you. When you harbor unkind, judgmental thoughts they can turn into anger, bitterness and resentment quickly. These negative emotions can cause stress, high blood pressure, fatigue and sleep issues. These emotions can become a constant distraction and steal precious time away from your loved ones. Once you become aware of this downward spiral, you can take action that can turn your life around. Just be kind. Kindness inspires life, anger and hatred leads to sickness and stress. As you can see, kindness may actually help you live a longer, more fulfilling life.
- Kindness Can Help You To Change the World: Okay, I know this way that kindness helps you become a better person may seem far fetched, but bare with me. Can we start by agreeing that a simple smile is contagious? Usually, when you smile at someone they smile back. If not, then send them this article! JK. What I’m getting at is the fact that kindness inspires reciprocity. When you are kind to others, it makes them want to be kind as well. You might not solve world hunger, but you can make this world a little better, simply by practicing kindness.
As you level up on practicing kindness, don’t forget to be kinder to yourself. Sometimes, we can be our own biggest enemy by being overly judgemental and critical concerning who we are and the value that we can bring to our world. Be mindful of this as you move forward and serve the world with kindness.
All the best,
Elaine