Acts of Kindness Benefits Health
For the Month of April I am doing a challenge - Shower People with Kindness. Each day of April I am making a conscious effort to perform at least one act of kindness for someone. I encourage you to join this challenge and help build a habit of kindness.
When we perform an act of kindness, we are not only making the world a better place to live in, we are also improving our health and the health of the recipient. According to Positive Psychology Acts of kindness whether you are the giver or the receiver there is an increase in Oxytocin the “love” hormone. This helps improve self esteem, lowers blood pressure, improves overall heart health, decreases depression , reduces stress and even reduces pain. I recommend checking out the full article Can Random Acts of Kindness increase well being. The Mayo clinic also has a great article The art of kindness .
This is a picture of my sister and me helping my mom get out of the house and out in nature. You can see by the picture that it was beneficial for all of us.
The great thing about acts of kindness, anyone of any age or walk of life can do them. They can be entirely free. If you are needing ideas and more information on acts of kindness- I have links at the end of the article. The more you practice acts of kindness the more natural the act of kindness will become, and you will create a habit of kindness.
Me completing the All Terrain Race
Three years ago I completed an All Terain Race with a few friends. Although it was a huge accomplishment for me to complete the race. What I remember the most about that day was the kindness and compassion of my friends. We started the race and I caught my foot on the edge of the pool and face planted into the mud. Not a great start for the race. My friends helped me up and made sure that the pace was good for all of us. We completed the race as a team. We helped each other and cheered as we all performed the various obstacles. There were definitely were several obstacles that I was shaking in fear as I attempted them. I will never forget the cheering and encouraging from my friends. I don’t know if I would have been able to compete all the obstacles without this support and kindness.
There are so many ways that one can perform acts of kindness. I have attached many links with ideas and information about Random Acts of Kindness. I recommend checking them out. Everyone deserves kindness.
30 Thoughtful Acts of Kindness for Kids
70 Acts of Kindness that don't cost a thing
