November is stress awareness month. Another noteworthy day this month is World Kindness Day, which
took place this year on Sunday, November 13
th!
According to research, there appears to be consistent evidence showing that kindness can help with
stress management. For instance, did you know that it can stimulate oxytocin, also known to some as
the "love hormone", and can boost dopamine, the "helper's high" chemical, and serotonin, the mood-balancing neurotransmitter?
[i]
To be kind to others, it is important to start by being gracious to yourself. What are some ways for us to
do this? As I am an avid believer in keeping things manageable, some ways I am good to myself are by:
• Indulging in my hobbies;
• Taking naps;
• Writing positive affirmations;
• Treating myself to ice cream or chocolate (or both!);
• Having a long, hot shower; and
• Giving myself a “me” day.
All are easy peasy, super effective, and lower my feelings of anxiety!
When it comes to kindness towards others, again for me, it's the simple actions that matter most.
Extending a smile to a stranger, offering your bus seat to someone who looks tired, donating items -
these all are doable examples of thoughtfulness, that can also assist with reducing another person's
tension.
Witnessing somebody benefit from the distress-alleviating effects of kindness is a fantastic happening. A
while back I was on the bus, heading home. A girl and her two brothers exited. After the back door
closed and the bus started moving, I noticed the girl's knapsack was still there! I frantically yanked on
the "next stop" string, grabbed her knapsack, disembarked the bus, and darted towards the last bus
stop. As I approached closer I saw her and her brothers, looking for it. I was about 30 feet away and
waved them down. When she saw I had it she put her hand on her heart, sighed in relief, and her facial
expression went from stressed to relieved. As I extended my arm out to give it back she said, "Thank you
very much!" I smiled and said "You're welcome", feeling happy that I was able to be of service, and it left
me in a good mood for the remainder of the day.
I have also experienced the advantage of stress mitigation, through kindness. One day my spouse and I
were at a venue. We each had a plate of food. As we were retrieving napkins I turned my head to look
at something. When I turned back I watched in horror as my food slid off my plate and into the garbage! I
gasped, panicked, and was saddened by the turn of events. Hubby offered to share his food, so we
found a table and started eating. About 5 minutes later a plate of food was placed in front of me. I
looked up and a man was there. He said, "I saw what happened and felt bad for you. So I got you
another burger and fries." Tears welled up in my eyes as I thanked him profusely. To this day it is one
the kindest things anybody has ever done for me. I will forever remember it. And his gesture instantly
decreased my angst. I felt guilty about eating half of my partner's food so once I had another plate of my
own, I began to relax.
If you were ever in doubt as to whether kindness can have a positive effect on stress, now you know.
Next time you are feeling burdened may I suggest giving kindness to yourself and others a try; a little bit
can go a long way!
[i]Staff, Cedars-Sinai. (2019, February 13). The Science of Kindness [Cedars-Sinai Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.cedars-
sinai.org/blog/science-of-kindness.html
