“It’s the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” - J.R.R. Tolkien
Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. And according to research, being kind has a profoundly positive effect on happiness.
Acts of kindness can boost the release of feel-good hormones, like serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine, which activates the areas of the brain that contribute to your mood and overall wellbeing. So, when you make kindness a habit, you’ll be happier too - because kindness matters.
Here are 3 simple ways to make kindness a habit:
Keep it small and easy. Showing kindness doesn’t need to be a big sweeping gesture. In fact, the less elaborate you make it, the easier it is to make it part of your everyday routing. For example, give a genuine compliment to a stranger, offer to take a task off a co-worker’s plate, make a small donation to an animal shelter or other cause.
Keep it consistent. Research says it takes 21 days to build a habit. Make sure to keep up the daily practice, even when it’s difficult or you’re having a bad day.
Remember to be kind to yourself too. In the hustle and bustle of life, we tend to forget about our own self-care. Treat yourself with the kindness you wish to show to others. Remove the negative self-talk and reframe to compliments, forgive yourself often, have a self-care day.
Starting today, what actions will you take?
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