Acts of Kindness
Kindness is more than being generous and considerate, doing something without expecting a return. Kindness can be simple, free, and healthy. Kindness has been shown to improve mood and increase empathy and compassion. Some reports suggest it can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone that directly impacts stress levels. Kindness can increase a sense of connectivity with others, which impacts loneliness, improve low mood, and enhance relationships. Most importantly it is contagious.
Kindness changes your brain by boosting serotonin and dopamine which are neurotransmitters that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being. It has been shown to increase self-esteem and can be a natural pain killer. Kindness is amazing. There are many benefits of being kind.
Kindness is not just about being generous and considerate to others but also about how you treat yourself. Many individuals beat themselves up verbally and rarely talk to themselves like they do to their friends. Yet, kinder self-talk is beneficial for the recipient as well as the receiver.
The Office of Health Promotion and its partners has a goal to record 100,000 Acts of Kindness. Help us to increase the sense of happiness and contentment in our community! It can be as simple as letting someone cut in front of you in a traffic jam, or in line. Kindness is good for us all.
The Science of Kindness (video)
Join us by looking for opportunities to be kind and reporting any kindness you might witness.
Make Sharing the Norm
Share our QR code in your W&M circle to support a culture of kindness:
