Everyone seems to be feeling lots of stress these days, between the economy, the swine flu, and anything else you'd like to throw in. It's when times are tough that we all need to be a little kinder to each other. Especially to strangers. When you're kind to a stranger you send a strong underlying message that says," There really are nice people, despite what you see on the news every night." and "I see you. You exist. You matter." A simple kind act can lift someone's spirits in powerful ways. I have read several stories of people who were on their way to committing suicide, but a random act of kindness by a total stranger made them change their minds.
Here are 5 tips to help you do more acts of kindness:
1. Decide what you need most, and give it someone else. ( Examples: compassion, confidence, courage, loving attention, patience). You will be amazed at how that particular trait will grow stronger in you as a result of giving it away.
2. Studies show that helping another person leads to increased happiness. Pick up any book on happiness at your local bookstore and you will see a section in that book on the connection between being kind and being happy.
3. Studies show that helping another person leads to improved physical and emotional health. In fact, one study showed people who helped others had fewer episodes of the flu. (That's something the media should be broadcasting!)
4. Studies show that helping another person leads to greater self-esteem. If you are on the shy side try smiling and saying hello to 3 people you don't know today. Watch what happens.
5. Studies show that helping another person leads to longer life. Older people who do volunteer work tend to live longer than those who don't.
I hope these 5 tips help motivate you to do more acts of kindness. I would love to hear about any positive results, so send me feedback.
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