This week we celebrated Say Something Nice Day – a day on which we all make an effort to say something nice to people and to be a little kinder and nicer for the day. But being kind should be something we strive for every day.
There are many reasons why we should be kind. Some are more surprising than others!
1. Kindness Reduces Anxiety
Being kind calms your mood and helps you to focus on other people and not yourself. There are many treatments for anxiety but being nice to others is the most natural way.
2. Kindness Strengthens Your Heart
Being kind can actually affect the chemical balance of your heart. Being kind releases a hormone called Oxytocin, which reduces your blood pressure and strengthens your heart.
3. Kindness Reduces Stress
When you are kind to others, it helps you take your mind off your own problems and worries. You also get a buzz from seeing the appreciation and happiness experienced by the person, or people, receiving the act of kindness, and this boosts your happiness and reduces your stress.
4. We Can Make A Positive Difference
Sometimes by being kind, we are also helping to put something right. Whether it is helping a friend look for something they’ve lost, rescuing an injured animal or donating food or money to a charity, we are making a positive difference to someone’s life.
5. It’s A Way To Make Friends
Being kind can lead to unexpected new friendships that can last a lifetime. Just a simple kind act to a stranger can ignite a close friendship or social connection that will change your lives for the better.
6. Kindness Comes Back To You
One small act of kindness can cause a ripple effect making a group of people kinder. One person you are kind to might remember what you did for them, and they will be more likely to return the favour one day. They may be more inclined to do something similar for someone else, and this chain of kind acts can continue on and on, lifting everyone’s spirits and making everyone’s day a little bit brighter.
