“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people”

The above quote by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel has a particular resonance for probably most of us as we rush about our daily and seemingly increasingly busy days.  However, have you ever though just to take a little time out to do something nice for someone, maybe someone you have never met, or are ever likely to come into contact again; might increase you own wellbeing.

Much research indicates the value and importance of being kind:

• Otake, et. al., found that being aware of your own kind behaviour toward other people has found to increase subjective wellbeing.
• People who engage in acts of kindness become happier over time – Lyubomirsky
• Acts of kindness create an emotional warmth – Hamilton
• Mortality is delayed, depression is reduced and wellbeing and good fortune are increased – Post

Michael Norton at Harvard Business School found that people who spend a bigger proportion of their income on others tend to be far happier, in the long run, than those spending it on themselves.  He also found that “Across all countries – rich or poor, and in every continent – people who gave more tended to be happier people”.

Sandi Mann a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Central Lancaster in her book, ‘Paying It Forward: How One Cup of Coffee Could Change the World’ – (In the spirit of the book’s contents, Mann’s royalties from the book go to a charity for patients with muscular dystrophy) says, “Over a 30-year study, women who volunteered for a charity were 16% less likely to suffer a major illness during that period – perhaps because it lowers stress levels, which may also, in turn, boost the immune system”.

It is unlikely in life that we will escape some hardships and difficulties.  Giving someone a simple smile may very well brighten up their day, which may not be going all that well; and it will make you feel better.

So why not just do something nice for somebody today, somebody you don’t even know, like:

• Pay someone a compliment
• Give a hug to somebody
• Send a hand written thank you note
• Have a clear out and donate your items to a local charity
• Bring some food to a ‘food bank’
• Smile, smile and smile again
• Do whatever you think is suitable for the situation

At mindchange we undertake a range of interventions to improve flexibility, relationships and wellness in work and life.  Visit our various webpages to see the type of work we undertake.  Please contact us for further details.