Kindness has the ability to transform the environment, and this change is beneficial to others and to those who practice it. Cultivating goodness is an act of love and respect that helps create a more pleasant reality, in which hope is born and happiness flourishes. Being kind makes us better and better to the people around us.
Adopting this label means more than being friendly or empathizing with others, cultivating kindness also sows seeds of tenderness, kindness, and compassion, one of the emotions that leads us to look at others and do something for them.
- Being kind improves our mood and well-being.
- A simple act of kindness can change our vision of circumstances.
- Open light in darkness.
- Turn despair into hope.
- Several studies support him.
For example, a 2016 Oxford University study found that kindness to others leads to a slight but significant improvement in subjective well-being.
Human beings are social animals and we are happy to help others. This research suggests that people are really happy to help others. This is probably due, according to the researchers, to the fact that we really care about the well-being of others. Another hypothesis. That might explain the fact that kindness does us good is that acts of random kindness are a good way to make new friends and start social relationships.
Also, it seems that being nice makes us happier and that being happier makes us kinder. In this sense, a study from Tohoku Gakuin University found that happy people intensify, maintain and generalize this state of happiness by being kind.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, be compassionate?” -Dalai Lama-
Cultivating kindness not only makes us feel good, but also has a positive impact on our health, both physical and mental, being kind triggers a cascade of vitality, all thanks to the substances that the brain releases and that take care of our mood. as well as our body.
Kindness helps maintain good health and can reduce the effects of diseases and disorders of varying severity, both psychological and physical, for example, showing this attitude causes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
On the other hand, stress-related health problems improve after performing “acts of kindness. “They help reverse feelings of depression, provide social contact, calm hostility and reduce the risk of isolation, which can cause stress and lead to overeating, for example. .
In addition, cultivating goodness strengthens our immune system. According to one study, the risk of developing diabetes, cancer and heart disease is reduced and the levels of antibodies needed to fight the disease increase.
At this point, it is important to note that goodness protects the health of our hearts. Some experts claim that goodness lowers blood pressure because goodness creates what has been called emotional warmth, which in turn releases a hormone known as oxytocin.
Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure, which makes oxytocin known as a “heart-protective” hormone.
Kindness is a powerful ally in building personal and social relationships, both at work and in personal life. Authentic goodness overcomes hostilities, fosters respect, and fosters mutual understanding.
Kindness reduces the emotional distance between two people, making us feel more ‘united’. At the end of the day, we’re genetically prepared for that. Our ancestors had to learn to cooperate with each other.
Think that the stronger the emotional bonds within the groups, the greater the chances of survival; thus, the genes of goodness remained in our code, so today, when we are kind to each other, we give way to this connection that allows us to forge new relationships or strengthen existing ones.
In addition, because kindness transforms the environment, being kind to others, we foster a favorable scenario that generates a willingness to resolve conflicts, make agreements and live pleasant experiences.
When you’re kind, especially if you make it a habit when you’re young, everything improves: from satisfaction with life to self-realization and physical health. Kindness is contagious and, being kind, we also help improve the lives of others. and, as a result, we help others improve ours.
Even in difficult times, be kind to others, but most importantly, be kind to yourself. It’s a simple move, but it makes all the difference. Treat others well and they’ll treat you well. Treat yourself and you can expect the same from others.