World Kindness Day is November 13th
Internationally, November 13th is observed as World Kindness Day. While World Kindness Day is only once a year, the goal is to help people create habits of kindness that can be sustained throughout the year.
How Can you Make an Impact?
There are many things that people can do on World Kindness Day. Three acts of kindness are encouraged. Some examples are simply giving a hug to friends or family or writing them a poem or nice note. Acts of kindness doesn’t have to be overt or grandiose. They can be as simple as giving compliments, smiling at others, holding open a door or letting someone else take your seat on public transportation. Long term of acts of kindness can include volunteering at an event or association with a message you are passionate about or mentoring others.
With many people across the world struggling with mental health disorders like anxiety or depression; kindness can promote qualities that help facilitate treatment such as empathy, compassion and closeness between individuals and communities. This encompasses the bigger picture where a more positive, accepting environment can do wonders to the prognosis of those with debilitating mental health disorders.
How Kindness Effects the Brain
You can also see the effects of kindness in our health and the brain. Compassion and closeness all release the neurotransmitters of serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. These hormones promote health and happiness on an emotional and physical level. Negative emotions like anger or jealousy increase the levels of cortisol; our stress hormone. This leads to emotional burnout and poor physical health (weakened immune system or weight gain). The caliber of our emotions is directly tied to our health so in that moment when you connect with someone through an act of kindness, your positive actions are not only instilling positive change in yourself but also in others.
There are many different ways to combat mental health disorders and each patient is different. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health disorder, like depression or anxiety, please contact the professional team at Lifeline Connections. You can visit Lifelineconnections.org or call 360.397.8246 for more information.
