Start a kindness revolution
Suzanne Von Behren
With the start of a new school year comes many reminders, parents often provide words of guidance such as “be safe, make smart decisions, listen to your teachers, study hard, ask questions if you don’t understand, and be helpful.” I would like to add another important reminder for ALL of us, not just for the kiddos heading back to school— let’s consciously make an effort to always be kind to one another. Common sense? Sure, but yet in the busyness of life sadly sometimes we neglect this basic, yet critical, principle.
Besides just being the right thing to do, did you know there are even health benefits to being kind? “In a study conducted by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, psychology professor at University of California, Riverside, students were assigned to do five random acts of kindness per week for a period of six weeks. At the end of the study, the students’ levels of happiness had increased by 41.66 percent. Being kind had a profoundly positive effect on happiness.” Being kind can help to decrease anxiety, depression, stress and blood pressure by increasing the levels of the happiness hormones, serotonin and oxytocin and decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. Even more good news? If performing deliberate acts of kindness doesn’t come naturally to you, research shows that it’s not too late. According to Dr. Ritchie Davidson from University of Wisconsin, “it’s kind of like weight training, we found that people can actually build up their compassion ‘muscle’ and respond to others’ suffering with care and a desire to help.”
It doesn’t take any money or even a lot of time to be kind to someone. Don’t underestimate the value of a simple smile or a kind word. We never know what someone may be facing in their lives and what might be hiding behind their brave smile. Take the time to give someone a genuine compliment. Don’t ever put off telling someone what they mean to you or telling them thank you for making a difference in your life. You never know when that may be exactly what they need to hear at that moment. Life is hard. Let’s do all we can to make someone smile, realize their value, or to know that they aren’t alone.
What would happen if we all tried to live by the quote “Be the person that makes others feel special. Be known for your kindness and grace.” Let’s each make that a part of our personal mission statement—oh, what a wonderful world that would be! We can do this—I believe we can each change our part of the world. Let’s start a kindness revolution right here in the ‘ville!
Suzanne Von Behren is an RN, BSN
with Northwest Missouri State University Wellness Services
