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With Kindness Comes Brightness

World Kindness Day 2021

After the past year and a half, we need kindness now more than ever. This year World Kindness Day is November 13, 2021. Kindness means expressing helpfulness and being generous and considerate without expecting anything in return. Go out of your way to be kind to your loved ones, coworkers, and strangers!

Here are 5 simple, unique ways you can show kindness:
world kindness day

1. Pay it forward: Offer to pay for the person's order behind you in a drive-thru to make someone's day!

2. Let a stranger go in front of you in line: A simple gesture of allowing someone to check out at the grocery store or order coffee before you is a great way to show kindness.

3. Be kind to siblings, family members, and friends: Encourage family members to help each other in daily activities.

4. Clean up: Pick up trash in a nearby park, beach, or street.

5. Double Dinner: Next time you make a dish for dinner, try to double up the serving size and give it to a friend or neighbor to lighten their load.

While spreading positivity is primarily selfless, there are personal benefits to treating others with kindness, including mental and physical health benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, "kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood". Physically, studies have shown that the art of kindness can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, which in turn reduces stress levels. Expressing kindness boosts serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters that make you feel satisfaction and well-being. Kindness can also increase your connection with other people which has you feel less lonely while improving relationships. This can especially help with feelings of anxiety and stress.

It's simple: treat people how you would like to be treated. And, a little kindness goes a long way! If you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness, clinicians in our Counseling & Wellness Centers are available to help.

Call our main number at 844-4-ACENDA (844-422-3632 x9500) for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

https://sheerbalance.com/kindness-challenge-10-acts-of-kindness/

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/the-art-of-kindness