Recently Dr. Gayle MacBride was asked that very question. Here’s her response:
We could all use a little extra kindness in our lives. When I was young my grandmother always insisted we hold the door for the person coming through next. She’s been gone over 15 years and I’m still a door holder. This is a small kindness that doesn’t make or break a person’s day, but certainly can add a little bright spot for the recipient. Kindness is good for the person performing the act as well as the recipient. This is truly a win-win.
How Kindness Benefits You:
Acts of kindness trigger the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and oxytocin, which promote feelings of happiness and well-being. These feel good chemicals bond us socially and are natural mood lifters as well as stress-reducers. In the day and age when many of us take several pills each day, it’s great to find something that you can do that is good for you and doesn’t require a prescription.
Belonging is an essential motivator for most of us. Kindness strengthens relationships and fosters a sense of connection with others. By making kindness a routine part of your life, you can build a supportive social network, which is essential for emotional resilience and overall life satisfaction. You may even start to see these acts repaid in ways to contribute to our long term health.
Research suggests that being kind can have positive effects on physical health, including reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure. Acts of kindness may also boost immune function (helping us more effectively fight an infection if we are exposed) and enhance overall cardiovascular health. Ultimately, we not only live longer, but healthier.
Engaging in acts of kindness can give individuals a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By contributing positively to the lives of others, you cultivate a deeper sense of meaning and satisfaction in your own life, increasing your own sense of connection and belonging.
Creative Ways to Be Kind:
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Write Letters of Appreciation: Take the time to write heartfelt letters or cards expressing gratitude and appreciation to friends, family members, or community members who have made a difference in your life. Handwritten notes carry a personal touch and can brighten someone’s day.
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Offer Compliments: Spread positivity by offering genuine compliments to those around you. Whether it’s praising someone’s outfit, acknowledging their talents, or complimenting their kindness, sincere words of affirmation can lift spirits and boost confidence.
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Donate Time or Skills: Volunteer your time and skills to local organizations or community projects. Offer to teach a workshop on a topic you’re passionate about, assist with gardening or maintenance tasks, volunteer at your local elementary school helping teachers or reading with the students, or provide companionship to residents at a nursing home.
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Create Care Packages: Put together care packages filled with essential items, treats, and comforting items for individuals in need. Consider making packages for unhoused individuals, military personnel serving overseas, or elderly residents in assisted living facilities. You might even coordinate the efforts with co-workers, church groups, or other community members to donate even simple items like socks or toothbrushes.
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Perform Random Acts of Kindness: Embrace spontaneity by performing random acts of kindness throughout your day. Pay for a stranger’s coffee, hold the door open for someone, or allow someone to take the spot in line ahead of you.
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Make is Social: Encourage friends, family members, or neighbors to participate in a kindness challenge with you. Set a goal to perform a certain number of kind acts each week and share your experiences and reflections with each other.
Kindness is not about spending money or making grand gestures, it is about making the world a little nicer and kinder. It’s about putting a smile on someone’s face and letting them know that they mattered to you today.
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