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Writer's pictureKaren Hoad

Being Kind Is Good For Your Health And Wellbeing


I recently came across an article by Anna Black relating to a publication entitled, “A Year of Living Kindfully’ which is about ways of creating new ways of thinking and behaving to cultivate a kinder attitude not only to others but to ourselves as well. It got me thinking about what constitutes kindness and how it makes us feel. In my everyday life I always strive to be kind sharing things that I feel may be of benefit to people and of course helping my family whenever I can. For me, it’s things that I do without any expectation of reward, praise, credit or indeed anything back in return – just doing something nice seems the right thing to do. And it seems that the power of kindness has beneficial effects on not only the lives of the people that we are kind to but it also impacts on our lives as well. In the latest article from Becoming Aware, we look at what kindness means including being kind to your self, why it’s so important and the benefits it has.

What is kindness?

Psychology Today refers to kindness, ‘The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness’.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as, ‘The quality of being generous, helpful and caring about other people, or an act showing this quality’.

Kindness is fundamental to our very existence as newborn babies need kindness from their parents in the all-important nurturing years. It is an action and not a feeling.

Kindness towards yourself

This is something that is often overlooked although it shouldn’t be confused with self-indulgence. This should include forgiveness if you make a mistake and releasing self-criticism, as well as not blaming or judging other people. It also includes being warmer, more compassionate and more generous.

Why is kindness important?

Research suggests that there are many positive benefits of carrying out thoughtful and helpful acts.

· Increased happiness and fulfilment

· Improved relationships and connections

· Enhanced health and wellbeing

· Slows down the ageing process

· Boosts health and wellbeing

· Eases and reduces anxiety and stress

· Releases feel good hormones

It is an action that is considered so important that there is Kindness Day UK is on 13th November, a day that celebrates and promotes kindness with individual acts of kindness encouraged on this particular day.

Discovering self-compassion and self-love is key to cultivating kindness

Anna Black goes on to say that as we discover self-compassion and self-love and cultivate kindness, there is a wonderful ripple effect throughout our life, especially in our relationship with others and our day-to-day experiences.

How Becoming Aware can help you

Karen Hoad from Becoming Aware is a qualified and experienced Emotional Healing & Wellbeing Practitioner. Karen has vast experience in mental, emotional and physical health issues and works with people to release emotions. She gives help and support with regard to the past, present and future. Call Karen on 07766 427966 for a free without obligation chat or email karen@becomingaware.co.uk

Let me know if you have carried out any acts of kindness recently and how it has made you feel. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”


Dalai Lama XIV

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Leo Buscaglia

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