Be kind and boost your health on World Kindness Day

By The Editor

Roald Dahl famously declared that kindness is the number one attribute in a human being. 

He added: “Kindness—that simple word. To be kind—it covers everything, to my mind. If you’re kind that’s it.”

Our inspiration as a newspaper, Jill Dando lived her life with kindness and still managed to be Britain’s most well-known journalist. She never lost the attribute that Dahl placed first.

We train our reporters to do the job with kindness – just like Jill. We believe the media and social media should be done in the same way.

“Kindness—that simple word. To be kind—it covers everything, to my mind. If you’re kind that’s it.” Roald Dahl

Since its formation in 1989, the World Kindness Movement is trying to inspire billions of people to be kind.

Reasons to be kind – boost your brain, immune system and heart

As today is World Kindness Day, here are some reasons to be kind.

Being kind can significantly improve our physical and emotional wellbeing – whether we are giving or receiving it.

Studies show acts of kindness help your immune system, reduce stress, gives you energy and are good for the heart.

For instance, committing acts of kindness produces a hormone in the body called oxytocin, sometimes called the ‘kindness hormone’ and the ‘cardioprotective hormone’.

Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which opens up the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. 

It is the contributor to keeping our hearts healthy after exercise.

Boost self-esteem and optimism

And wow, this important hormone also increases our self-esteem and optimism.

Alongside oxytocin, being kind also produces serotonin in your body. 

This is often called the ‘happy chemical’ and has been found to heal your wounds, calm you down, and improve your mood.

When you are kind to another person your brain’s pleasure and reward centres light up, which makes you feel good.

So why not try it out!

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation have hundreds of kindness ideas on their website. 

They have also curated a list of the top seven ways to incorporate kindness into your everyday life – starting today:

1. Send an uplifting text to a loved one
2. Be kind and courteous on the road when driving
3. Intentionally allow laughter and kindness into your everyday life
4. Step out of your comfort zone if it will make someone smile
5. Compliment others
6. Connect with family members or friends that you haven’t spoken to in a while
7. Buy someone a cup of coffee – or treat yourself.

Kindness is also very contagious – so by passing it on you are helping make the world a better place. Can’t be a bad thing.