Kindness is our secret weapon to a healthy and happy existence; I know this for a fact!
I have managed chronic physical and mental
illness all my adult life and although, yes, I do
need medical treatment and support, in equal
measure it has been my charity and voluntary
work that has had an incredible impact on my
overall wellbeing, health and lifestyle.
It was with this understanding I imagined, well,
day-dreamed for quite some time about creating a
community business that would harness kindness
with all its power, to create an impact on a huge
scale. An impact on people, on businesses, on
charities, on the economy, on communities, on the
environment; on the whole of society.
Did you know, however, that there are proven
scientific benefits of being kind?
Kindness increases self-esteem, empathy,
and compassion, and improves mood. It can
decrease blood pressure and cortisol, which
directly impacts stress levels. Acts of kindness
produce endorphins, the brain’s natural painkiller,
which improves aches and pains. People who give
themselves in a balanced way also tend to be
healthier and live longer. Happy soul, happy heart,
happy life so to speak.
Even just witnessing kindness produces oxytocin,
known as the ‘love hormone’. You know that
gorgeous warm fuzzy feeling of love, kindness
releases that hormone. We cannot give out hugs at
the moment but can share kindness, who doesn’t
want to feel warm and fuzzy? It helps social anxiety
and boosts optimism too.
Harvard studies have shown that those who are
altruistic, feel stronger and more energetic after
helping others as well as feeling calmer and less
depressed, increasing self-worth and overall, are
happier.
Kindness stimulates the production of Serotonin,
the feel-good chemical which heals, calms,
and makes you happy. Anti-depressants also
produce Serotonin hence their significance in the
treatment of mental health illnesses. I was initially
prescribed anti-depressants for a couple of years
for the treatment of Agoraphobia and OCD as a
young adult and again due to suffering hormonal
imbalances linked to Endometriosis, so I understand
whole-heartedly the impact of Serotonin. Kindness
provides it in abundance. Personally, I have
benefited from the natural production of Serotonin
through being consciously kind by volunteering and
helping others, it has had a significant impact on my
ability to manage my illnesses, positively improving
the quality of my life.
I have experienced the phenomenon ‘Helpers High’
so many times, it actually becomes quite addictive.
The act of being kind to another person lights up
your brains pleasure and rewards centre, fireworks
of pleasures going crazy. It is almost like you are the
one receiving the kind deed. Both individuals, the
giver and receiver feel an equal positivity that is just
so, well, awesome, you both feel awesome.
Author of ‘Raising Happiness’ Christine Carter found
“People who volunteer tend to experience fewer
aches and pains. Giving help to others protects
overall health twice as much as aspirin protects
against heart disease. People 55 and older who
volunteer for two or more organisations have an
impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and
that is after sifting out every other contributing
factor, including physical health, exercise, gender,
habits like smoking, marital status and many more.
This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a
week or going to church.”
Isn’t it a shame kindness can’t be prescribed! But I
am optimistic that the community business I am
developing will deliver much opportunity to give
and receive much kindness, I want to dish it out like
confetti.
When we give ourselves, everything from life is
significantly improved. Be kind to you!
www.michellejonesweddings.co.uk
michelle@michellejonesweddings.co.uk