Love and Kindness

Love is often the topic and focus for February because we celebrate Valentine's Day. This month we're diving into one aspect of how we can show love, through acts of kindness.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. -- Mother Teresa

Last week I was talking to one of my classes about how we show love. The children expressed several great answers; one child said be helpful to others, another said you can give hugs, and a third child said be kind to a friend or family member.

The last student's answer reminded me of conference I had watched given by Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of several great self-empowerment books. Part of his talk was about random acts of kindness. He shared some statistics that grabbed my attention. He shared that a receiver of an act of kindness has their serotonin levels increase as well as their immune system strengthened. The giver of an act of kindness has the same increase in serotonin levels as well as their immune system strengthened.

The part I found fascinating was, an observer of an act of kindness experienced an increase in serotonin levels and a strengthened immune system. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that acts as a chemical messenger and believed to affect psychological functions. It is the feel good or well-being feelings we experience. The more serotonin you have the better you feel. It is also what many anti-depressant drugs try to stimulate.

By practicing random acts of kindness you make yourself feel good psychologically, but also physically! These acts of kindness could be as little as a smile.

Other random acts of kindness to increase your feel good chemicals and strengthen your immune system are:
- Giving a hug
- Giving a compliment
- Letting someone over in traffic (instead of racing ahead)
- Giving someone change
- Acknowledging someone for their effort
- Giving a gift, flowers, or a 'thinking of you' card
- Inviting a friend for coffee, tea or lunch
- Calling a friend or relative you haven't talked to in awhile
- Sharing a positive thought or quote
- Picking up litter
- Volunteering

To your health!