“Kindness is the language in which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain
Do you want to increase your own happiness? Then practice kindness!
Many of us assume that when we’re kind and helpful to others we’re doing them a favor. The truth is that acts of kindness release the happiness hormones endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin and cause your own happiness to soar.
A number of studies, including one conducted by Emory University, revealed that helping others lit up the same part of the brain as receiving rewards or experiencing pleasure.
When you perform random and conscious acts of kindness you deepen your relationships, whether with family members, friends, and colleagues, and create an atmosphere of positivity around you that can be contagious.
Helping others helps you find a sense of meaning and improves your mood. Giving, whether in your personal or professional life, creates often unexpected connections and can generate real happiness for you as well as for them.
Here are 5 ideas to get you started:
Pick one day a week to practice random acts of kindness. Set a goal including the number of acts you plan to perform that day. They can be small acts like opening the door for someone or writing them a note of appreciation, or they can be bigger acts such as offering someone help with a project.
Do something positive for the environment, like planting a tree, switching to all-natural cleaners, or using a reusable shopping bag.
Donate your time. Book one day per month on your calendar to volunteer for an NGO, a local school, or another initiative.
Host a happiness dinner or lunch for your loved ones to create meaningful experiences and beautiful memories.
Reach out to a friend or colleague who needs a helping hand or a listening ear and simply be there for them.
The mere act of giving is an act of love and should be motivated by an intrinsic desire to help someone without considering what you will get out of it.
Be kind and thoughtful today because love and kindness are never wasted – they always have an impact.
Take a moment to think of what you can do to brighten someone else’s day. Then go do it.
How did you show someone kindness today? What will be your next happy act? Please share in the comments section below.
Keep choosing happiness and happiness will keep choosing you back!
