Kindness can increase happiness and reduce stress

A 2015 study published in the Clinical Psychological Science journal found that helping others can relieve stress. … The researchers found that participants who performed more daily acts of kindness were less likely to feel stressed.

Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone, which directly impacts stress levels. People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer.

This is one of reason that I put kindness in daily practice. Sometimes, you may think that you help another people. Actually, you are help yourself to increase self esteem, to feel meaningful  and reduce stress.

I began the journey to create a kindness corner at home. Learning intentions were for my child to begin to understand what kindness looks like and feels like. For children to begin demonstrate kindness, empathy and gratitude within their play and begin to develop an awareness of how others may be feeling.

It also provided the opportunity for children to think about being kind to each other. As children’s understanding grow, I can try to capture children in the moment as they are being kind to someone in the room. Children also use own drawings or representations of how they are kind. I invited my child to discuss her understanding of kindness with drawing. I feel that the reason why some many adults are under stress about their own life, work and marriage. Some reason is self center and if we can give kindness to another people. You will feel much happy.

What’s kindness?

“We are gentle.” We use good manners to socialize with each other.

“We give to those in need.” A fundraiser for National Pyjama Day is on Friday 17th July. It’s a day to wear your favourite pair of PJ’s to help The Pyjama Foundation raise awareness and funds for children in foster care.

“We help each other.” Children and adults are helping each other to pack up or set dinner tables.

“We make each other happy.” We acknowledge each other, share jokes and funny stories.”

“We take care of each other.” Offer to help each other, ask how each other is, say you have missed someone if they have been absent.

“We smile.”

“We are happy for each other.” We acknowledge each other’s attempts and success.

“We share.” Out time, our space and our friendship.

Learning to be givers shapes children’s values and provides opportunities to develop kindness. Empathy is our ability to recognize and respond to the needs and suffering of others.

Here are just a few of the  many benefits the children will experience from learning the values such as kindness:

Many benefit for children and adults to have kindness.

1. Happy children and adult – Study shows that kindness activates the joyful area of the brain. Pleasure resulting in kindness activates the need to replicate those feelings either as a receiver or a giver.
2. Improved health and less stress – Being kind increases happiness and decreases stress.
3. Greater Sense of Belonging and Improved Self Esteem – Even small acts of kindness create feelings of self-worth and belonging. Acts of kindness increase energy and give a wonderful feeling of optimism.
4. Increased Feelings of Gratitude – Children learn to appreciate what they have when helping those less fortunate.
5. Better Concentration and Improved Results – Kindness is a key ingredient that helps children feel good. Having a positive outlook increases attentions spans and enables more creative thinking which can produce better results at school.
6. Less Bullying – Research has documented that the effects of bullying can be significantly reduced by integrating kindness based programs
7. Reduced Depression – Research has discovered that an act of kindness increases levels of serotonin (a natural chemical responsible for improving mood) in the brain. Serotonin levels are increased in both the giver and receiver of an act of kindness, as well as anyone who witnesses that kindness, making it a wonderful natural antidepressant.