It’s Cool To Be Kind
By
Dr. Rachell N. Anderson
One day after working for several hours doing research in the library, I was pretty tired and my mental health meter wasn’t exactly hitting 100-you know what I mean? As I was leaving the library, young man (I don’t know his name) held the door open allowing me to exit with ease. I thanked him and left with a greatly uplifted spirit and all of a sudden, Tunica seemed like a better place to live. That got me thinking about the mental health benefits of kindness.
Did you know it’s cool to be kind? Research has shown that acts of kindness do not only benefit receivers but also the givers. These acts allow the release of neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for feelings of contentment and relaxation. Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, has studied happiness for more than 20 years. She and others know that positive activities boost positive emotions, thoughts and behavior, in turn improving well-being. Dr. Lyubomirsky, found that performing positive acts at least once a week led to the most happiness. Performing a variety of kind and grateful behaviors helps maximize happiness. In addition, researchers at University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Cambridge and University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom found that kindness is contagious. When we see someone help another person it gives us a good feeling, which in turn causes us to go out and do something altruistic ourselves. The opposite of generosity, stinginess, works by this same principle. People who are less generous often have the feeling that they are being cheated and treated unfairly.
As the year comes to a close and the new year approaches, you may think of resolutions you can achieve that will make your life better. Consider making resolutions that don’t just help you, but, help others at the same time? With all the violence, war, poverty, and unjust things going on in the world, it would take very little effort for you to make things better for you and others as suggested by the lyrics in this song:
Touch somebody’s life
With your goodness
Touch somebody's life
With your love
Touch somebody's life
With understanding
For it's the only way
To show your Creator's love
Can you use more love in your life? Do you have something in your life that needs to be changed? Are you’re thinking of making a New Year’s resolution to get it done? Try this.
Touch somebody's life
With your mercy
Touch somebody's life
With your peace
Touch somebody's life
With your joy
And it's amazing how
Your own life will increase
So, What’s a person to do?
With very little effort, you can make someone’s day go better. Give someone a smile. Be generous with your praise. Be kinder to someone at work. Say hello to people you pass on the street. Improve a sagging relationship with a friend or relative. Forgive. Wish someone well. Be tolerant of others from a cultural or religious beliefs. Be as helpful as you can be. Be kind to people and animals. Visit someone in jail or in a nursing home. Shuttle someone’s tray in the cafeteria. Buy someone’s lunch. Sweep someone’s porch. Give the waitress a bigger tip. Volunteer at a local charity. Beautify your surroundings. Pick up trash on the walkway. Help someone have a fun memory. Commemorate someone who has made a difference in your life (teachers needs this). Once you begin thinking of these random acts of kindness, more will come. Once you act on them, you’ll feel better.
Touch somebody's life
As you pass them
You may never pass
That close again
It's not hard to
Reach out in love
And touch somebody
You'll be surprised
How soon that same touch
Will come back to you.
Lyrics © by Malin
For a Happy New Year, remember, it’s cool to be kind.
Dr. Rachell Anderson is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, a Professor Emeritus and author. She taught at the University of Illinois and ran a private Clinical Practice in Springfield, Illinois for more than 40 years. She lives and writes in Tunica, Mississippi. Check out her website at www.drrachellanderson.com for more articles and books.
By
Dr. Rachell N. Anderson
One day after working for several hours doing research in the library, I was pretty tired and my mental health meter wasn’t exactly hitting 100-you know what I mean? As I was leaving the library, young man (I don’t know his name) held the door open allowing me to exit with ease. I thanked him and left with a greatly uplifted spirit and all of a sudden, Tunica seemed like a better place to live. That got me thinking about the mental health benefits of kindness.
Did you know it’s cool to be kind? Research has shown that acts of kindness do not only benefit receivers but also the givers. These acts allow the release of neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for feelings of contentment and relaxation. Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, has studied happiness for more than 20 years. She and others know that positive activities boost positive emotions, thoughts and behavior, in turn improving well-being. Dr. Lyubomirsky, found that performing positive acts at least once a week led to the most happiness. Performing a variety of kind and grateful behaviors helps maximize happiness. In addition, researchers at University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Cambridge and University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom found that kindness is contagious. When we see someone help another person it gives us a good feeling, which in turn causes us to go out and do something altruistic ourselves. The opposite of generosity, stinginess, works by this same principle. People who are less generous often have the feeling that they are being cheated and treated unfairly.
As the year comes to a close and the new year approaches, you may think of resolutions you can achieve that will make your life better. Consider making resolutions that don’t just help you, but, help others at the same time? With all the violence, war, poverty, and unjust things going on in the world, it would take very little effort for you to make things better for you and others as suggested by the lyrics in this song:
Touch somebody’s life
With your goodness
Touch somebody's life
With your love
Touch somebody's life
With understanding
For it's the only way
To show your Creator's love
Can you use more love in your life? Do you have something in your life that needs to be changed? Are you’re thinking of making a New Year’s resolution to get it done? Try this.
Touch somebody's life
With your mercy
Touch somebody's life
With your peace
Touch somebody's life
With your joy
And it's amazing how
Your own life will increase
So, What’s a person to do?
With very little effort, you can make someone’s day go better. Give someone a smile. Be generous with your praise. Be kinder to someone at work. Say hello to people you pass on the street. Improve a sagging relationship with a friend or relative. Forgive. Wish someone well. Be tolerant of others from a cultural or religious beliefs. Be as helpful as you can be. Be kind to people and animals. Visit someone in jail or in a nursing home. Shuttle someone’s tray in the cafeteria. Buy someone’s lunch. Sweep someone’s porch. Give the waitress a bigger tip. Volunteer at a local charity. Beautify your surroundings. Pick up trash on the walkway. Help someone have a fun memory. Commemorate someone who has made a difference in your life (teachers needs this). Once you begin thinking of these random acts of kindness, more will come. Once you act on them, you’ll feel better.
Touch somebody's life
As you pass them
You may never pass
That close again
It's not hard to
Reach out in love
And touch somebody
You'll be surprised
How soon that same touch
Will come back to you.
Lyrics © by Malin
For a Happy New Year, remember, it’s cool to be kind.
Dr. Rachell Anderson is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, a Professor Emeritus and author. She taught at the University of Illinois and ran a private Clinical Practice in Springfield, Illinois for more than 40 years. She lives and writes in Tunica, Mississippi. Check out her website at www.drrachellanderson.com for more articles and books.
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