It’s something we all want and need. Small or big, kindness doesn’t go often go unappreciated. Be it a compliment, a helping hand, or a simple smile, it could brighten someone’s day. There are so many positive results of kindness, how it makes another feel, how it can make you feel, and the health benefits it brings, such as lowering blood pressure!
Being kind to yourself
I think it’s a lot easier to criticise yourself than to be kind to yourself. I also think it has been made to seem egotistic or self-centred to be complimentary to yourself. There is every reason to be kind to yourself! There are many ways to be kind to yourself. To tell yourself you look good today. To take 5 minutes of fresh air in peace. To say you’ve done a good job on a piece of work. Eating a balanced diet. The list goes on. These things are all so beneficial to your mental health and your physical health.
Being kind to others
I know there’s a lot of kindness out there. Random acts of kindness are publicised widely across social media. For example, people film their actions and post them online. Quite often, these acts are pretty large gestures. Being kind to others isn’t always a huge gesture. It can be asking someone if they need help with something, even if they say no. Telling someone their hair looks nice today. Pulling a chair out for someone to sit down. These small gestures could be the highlight of someone’s day!
Being kind has been proven to lower stress and anxiety levels. I think the thing is, it’s the thought that counts as well, even if the gesture is not needed/accepted. Going into each day with the intention to be kind is such a rewarding thing to do, not just for yourself but for others too.