When my dad passed away from bone cancer last year, I got lots of messages from friends and family offering condolences. Among them, my college roommates tried to send us bagels, but there was a mix-up, and we never got them. It wasn’t about the food, but their kindness that mattered.
There’s a big difference between being nice and being kind. Being nice is polite and pleasing, often to gain favor. Kindness is more genuine, involving compassion and concern for others.
Kindness has health benefits. When you’re kind, your brain releases oxytocin, the ‘love hormone,’ which promotes social connection and reduces fear and anxiety. It also helps your heart and lowers stress.
Acts of kindness, big or small, release feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, boosting your mood and acting as a natural pain reliever. Being kind, whether picking up litter or checking in on a friend, brings these health benefits.
So, practicing kindness not only helps others but also improves your own well-being. Try it, and you’ll see the positive impact on yourself and those around you. Credit to CNN for the original information.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/13/health/nice-vs-kind-difference-wellness/index.html