Having a kind heart is a good thing, there’s no doubt about that. But many people underestimate how important kindness really is. I would like to share with you 8 key reasons why kindness matters and why each of us should strive to be kind and gentle (to others and to themselves).
Why Does Kindness Matter?
Aside from brightening everyone’s day, there are certain scientific benefits to being kind. Kindness has been demonstrated in studies to reduce stress and increase mental and physical well-being.
“We all seek a route to pleasure, and we know that exercising kindness toward others is one.”
says Dr. Waguih William IsHak, a psychiatry professor at Cedars-Sinai.
The trick is that acts of kindness must be repeated. Biochemically, you can’t survive on a single act’s 3-to-4-minute oxytocin spike.
When we are friendly to others, our brains release oxytocin, sometimes known as the “cuddle hormone” or “love hormone.” Among other things, oxytocin has been related to lower blood pressure and stress levels. So, being kind helps you feel good and is actually beneficial to your health.
Why Kindness Is Important: 8 Reasons
1) Kindness drives happiness.
It turns out that being kind has advantages for the giver as well! According to research, performing acts of kindness releases endorphins in the brain, which have mood-boosting effects.
So your acts of kindness will not only brighten someone else’s day, but they will also make you feel wonderful! Win-win!
2) Kindness promotes positive interpersonal relationships.
When we show kindness to others, they are more inclined to return the favor. Kindness creates an emotional connection that connects us and enhances our connections.
We all yearn for human connection, and being kind is one of the simplest ways to get it.
3) Kindness spreads like wildfire.
One of the best aspects about kindness is that it spreads. When we observe someone being kind, it motivates us to do the same.
This means that a single act of kindness can have a cascading impact, making the world a little brighter for everyone involved.
Consider what might happen if everyone tried to be a little kinder every day!
4) Kindness makes us healthier.
As previously said, being nice offers numerous health benefits.
Oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone” released when we feel loved and connected, has been related to lower blood pressure and stress levels.
Kindness is not only enjoyable, but it is also beneficial to your health.
5) Kindness makes us stronger.
It is more crucial than ever in today’s world to have strong emotional and mental resilience. Fortunately, research has shown that acts of kindness can assist boost our psychological resilience.
When we commit acts of kindness, we strengthen our “mental immune system” and become more prepared to deal with adversity.
6) Being kind is beneficial to business.
Being compassionate can actually provide you a competitive advantage in business. Customers are more inclined to conduct business with organizations that they perceive to be friendly and sympathetic, according to studies.
Employees who believe they work in a helpful and caring atmosphere are also more productive and engaged. So, if you want to boost your bottom line, being kind might be the way to go!
7) Kindness fosters community.
Kindness can be a strong tool for building community and generating a sense of connectedness in a world that often feels divided.
Kindness to others fosters a sense of community and makes us feel like we’re a part of something bigger.
8) The environment loves kindness.
When we treat others and the environment with kindness, we generate a ripple effect that can have a positive impact on the world around us.
We make the world a better place for everyone when we litter less, recycle more, and just care about our environment.
Here are a couple key reasons to keep in mind:
Your soul needs kindness
In the end, kindness is simply excellent for the soul. It feels good to be kind and to know that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.
When we are nice, we improve the world one act of kindness at a time.
Kindness is beneficial to our economy.
It is more crucial than ever in today’s economy to invest in programs and policies that promote kindness and compassion. When we are nice to others, we make the world a more just and equal place, which benefits us all.
Being kind with yourself
Being kind to yourself isn’t simply a lovely idea; it’s a necessary kind of self-care and an essential foundation for sustained kindness to others. How many times have you heard that you must put on your own oxygen mask before helping others during an aircraft safety briefing? It’s a bit like being kind to yourself.
When I work with people, it’s often clear that they’re so focused on taking care of everyone and everything around them that they’ve neglected to take care of themselves. They walk through life trying so hard to look after others, not realizing they are missing their own oxygen mask. They eventually reach a breaking point and end up in front of me.
Here are a few simple ways you may offer yourself some kindness today and every day.
Self-awareness
Being compassionate to yourself begins with developing self-awareness and listening to your internal voice with interest. What are you telling yourself, and how often are you critical of yourself? How often do you praise yourself and recognize all the things you are so good at? Recognize all of the great aspects of yourself.
Generosity
Be kind to yourself and do things only for yourself. Allow yourself time, unplug from technology for a few hours, and go outside into nature. So many people freely give themselves to others while finding it difficult to be as giving to themselves.
Recharge
If you’re an introvert, which appears to be 70% of the population, remember that after working or socializing with others, after giving yourself to others, you’ll need quiet time alone to recover and recharge. This is not selfish; rather, it is required. And doing so implies that you are pleasant, generous, and considerate of yourself.
Avoid making comparisons.
Comparisons can be dangerous. We live in a society where TV, advertising, and social media continuously remind us how we aren’t living the perfect life, how we don’t compare to others. Avoid the comparison trap since it leads to a lot of negative self-talk and critique. In fact, it is the polar antithesis of kindness.
Conclusion: why kindness (and being gentle) matters
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why kindness is important. Kindness is a tremendous force for good in a society that is frequently cruel and divided.
So, the next time you’re down or feel like you can’t make a difference, remember that even the tiniest act of kindness can have a big influence. Choose to be kind today and see how it affects you and the world around you.
How Do You Attract The Life You Love? Take Your 30-Second Quiz
Imagine you could say goodbye to missing out on your big dreams… And finally manifest all you always wanted in life.
Take this powerful 30-second test and learn how to rewire your mind and embrace a life of success filled with exciting possibilities (like thousands women and men have already).
If you have big dreams, you’ll love this test… Click here to Start
