11/09/2021
November 13 is World Kindness Day — a day about not only being kind to others, but also being kind to yourself. Did you know that kindness is good for your body and your mind? According to the Mayo Clinic,
Physiologically, kindness can positively change your brain. Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being, and cause the pleasure/reward centers in your brain to light up. Endorphins, which are your body’s natural pain killer, also can be released.
Being kind to others is fairly easy for us to accomplish. We are often taught as children to share and be kind — you can offer someone a compliment, pay for the person behind you in the drive-through, help someone less able, or reach out with a friendly check-in to see how someone is doing.
But many of us were not taught how to be kind to ourselves. This can be a much trickier task, but with some practice you can be kinder to yourself, which will also make you kinder to others. Here are some suggestions:
· Take time for hobbies and special interests
· Use positive self-talk or affirmations
· Treat yourself to a movie, a fancy coffee, the good ice cream or whatever works for you
· Practice regular self-care
· Show yourself patience, forgiveness and compassion
So let’s join the movement and improve our wellbeing, while making the world a kinder place!
