Dear College of Education Community,
The holiday season reminds us that kindness is an important act of self-care for both others and ourselves. Evidence shows that helping others can also benefit our own mental health and wellbeing. According to a blog on the Mayo Clinic Heath Center by Steve Siegle, “the art of kindness involves harboring a spirit of helpfulness, being generous and considerate, and doing so without expecting anything in return. Rather than viewing it exclusively as an action, think of kindness as a quality of being you can cultivate. Giving kindness often is simple, free and health-enhancing.” So how is kindness shown to others beneficial to ourselves?
Good for the body
Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a hormone directly correlated with stress levels. People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer. Kindness can increase your sense of connectivity with others, decrease loneliness, combat low mood and improve relationships. It also can be contagious, encouraging others to join in with their own generous deeds. Looking for ways to show kindness can give you something to focus on, especially if you are anxious or stressed in certain social situations.
Good for the mind
Physiologically, kindness can positively change your brain by boosting levels of serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters produce feelings of satisfaction and well-being, and cause the pleasure and reward centers in your brain to light up. Endorphins, your body's natural painkiller, also may be released when you show kindness. Discover ways you can create happiness.
Be kind to yourself
When sharing kindness, it's not just how you treat other people — it's also about how you extend those same behaviors and intentions to yourself. You can be kinder in your own self-talk and practice gratitude. People are good at verbally beating themselves up which does not work as a pep talk. Rather, negativity often causes you to unravel and may even create a vicious cycle of regularly getting down on yourself. You wouldn't talk to your neighbor the way you sometimes speak to yourself.
Take action
Start your day with this question: "How am I going to practice kindness today?"
Here is a final thought about kindness in a quote by the Dalai Lama: "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
To read more, go to https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/how-to-create-happiness
For a list of other self-care options, you can also go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
May we all find ways to engage in kindness this holiday season!
Warmly,
Shari