Volume 1, Number 3
Life Lines
I m p r o v i n g Yo u r Q u a l i t y o f L i f e — O n e S t e p a t a T i m e
The power of kindness –
being kind benefits everyone
We all know how good it can feel to be the recipient of a
kind word or offer of help from a friend or colleague. Acts of
kindness not only make the world a better place, but bestowing
kindness on others reflects back on us—improving our mental
and physical health, boosting our self-esteem, and allowing us
to communicate better with others.
People who perform acts of kindness would agree that being kind to someone else makes them “feel good.”
Research shows that it not only can make us feel good but being kind has a significant health benefit, both
physically and mentally. Below are a few examples of research that focuses on the value of kindness, as well as
some suggestions for incorporating more acts of kindness into our daily lives.
Benefits of kindness
Researchers from the Universities of California, San Diego, and Harvard found that when people benefit from
kindness they “pay it forward” by helping others who were not originally involved. When people in the study
were given money to help someone else, a domino effect occurred, causing each person’s generosity to spread to
three people, then to nine people, and then to still others in subsequent waves of the experiment.
Practicing small acts of kindness can help you become a happier person, and the boost in mood can stay with you
for months, according to research out of York University. More than 700 people took part in a study which charted
the effects of being nice to others, in small doses, over the course of a week. Six months later, participants reported
increased happiness and self-esteem.
The act of helping another person triggers activity in the parts of the brain involved in pleasure and reward,
according to researchers at Emory University. In other words, serving others may produce the same sort of
pleasure as gratifying a personal desire.
Researchers at Harvard University showed a film to 132 students about Mother Teresa’s work among the poor
in Calcutta. They then measured the level of Immunoglobin A (an antibody that plays a critical role in immunity)
which showed markedly increased levels in all test subjects.
© 2011 Homewood Human Solutions™
Kindness is a way of living that keeps on giving long after the kind words and deeds have taken place. It is a
force that goes well beyond good manners, to the heart of healthy relationships where we treat others with
respect and compassion.
While some people are innately kind, it is something that can be cultivated by choice. Here are just a few ways
you can bring a warm glow to your own heart, and bring more meaning to the lives of others.
tips
Smile more often. Something as simple as a smile can create a sense of connection with others and leave both
parties feeling happier. Smiling and saying hello to people doing their job (for example the cashier at the grocery
store) can make all the difference in how that person views his or her profession.
Give compliments. A sincere compliment can turn a person’s world around. By making it a habit to give at least
three sincere compliments a day, we can acknowledge the good in others and we can start to see the good in
ourselves.
Send thank you notes. So often in our busyness we don’t take the time to properly thank someone who has done
us a good turn. A short hand-written note can be a pleasant surprise to receive; so too can a note letting someone
know how much you appreciate them.
Volunteer. By giving your time and energy to causes that you believe in, you are making a difference in the world.
People who volunteer their time are happier people.
Practice patience. Allow someone else to get in line in front of you in a checkout line or in traffic.
Give little gifts for no reason. People love to receive thoughtful gifts (whether purchased or handmade) when they
aren’t expecting it. You can even give a gift to a stranger by donating items to a local charity for distribution.
Help a neighbour. Shovel snow, rake leaves, or offer to take care of a pet for people on your street who may have
difficulty doing it for themselves.
Kindness on a budget. There are many ways to show kindness without breaking the bank. Leave an extra-large
tip for a frazzled waitress, pay for the order of the person behind you in the drive through, or put money into
someone’s parking meter that is about expire. Giving anonymously is guaranteed to make you smile.
For more information, to book a counselling session, or
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© 2011 Homewood Human Solutions™
Life Lines Volume 1 Number 3