THE POWER OF BEING NICE: HOW KINDNESS IMPROVES YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING

Being kind to others does not just make the world a better place but it can also boost your own mental health. Research shows that doing good things for others, also known as prosocial behavior, helps reduce stress, lifts your mood, and encourages a sense of connection with others.

Simple Ways to Be a Kinder Person

Becoming a nicer person does not require a dramatic life change. Small, daily habits can make a big difference:

1. Lead With Kindness

• Doing kind things like helping someone or offering a compliment triggers feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins.
• These actions help form new positive habits and strengthen your brain’s pathways for empathy and connection.

2. Tame the Inner Critic

• Instead of jumping to criticize others, try seeing situations from a different angle.
• For example, if a co-worker makes a mistake, pause. Could it be a chance to support them instead of getting frustrated?

3. Practice Honest Communication

• Being nice doesn’t mean being a people-pleaser or saying “yes” to everything.
• Set healthy boundaries and speak your truth respectfully. True kindness includes honesty and self-respect.

4. Be Kind to Yourself

• The way you treat yourself often mirrors how you treat others.
• Avoid harsh self-talk. Instead, practice patience and self-compassion, especially when you make mistakes.

5. Stay Open-Minded

• Life is full of change, and meeting different people or ideas can feel uncomfortable.
• Open-mindedness helps reduce judgment and makes it easier to be kind even in unfamiliar situations.

6. Use Polite Language

• Saying “please,” “thank you,” or even smiling can brighten someone’s day.
• If someone is rude, responding with calmness and respect can shift the mood of the interaction.

7. Look for Ways to Help

• Help someone carry their groceries, hold the door, or check in on a friend. Small, thoughtful gestures go a long way.

8. Forgive Others and Yourself

• Holding onto resentment only weighs you down. Letting go of past hurts can help you move forward with a lighter heart.
• Don’t forget to forgive yourself, too. Everyone makes mistakes.

9. Practice Gratitude

• Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on what you’re thankful for.
• Keeping a gratitude journal can reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness.

10. Show Respect

• Even when you disagree, aim to treat others with dignity.
• Be on time, listen without interrupting, and stay off your phone during conversations. These small acts show that you value others.

What Makes Someone “Nice”?

Being nice goes beyond just being polite. It includes:

• Empathy
• Kindness
• Honesty
• Generosity
• Helpfulness
• Fairness
• Responsibility
• Thoughtfulness

These traits fall under a broader personality trait known as agreeableness, which includes both compassion and politeness.

How Niceness Boosts Mental Health

Being kind benefits both the giver and receiver. Here’s how:

• Better Mood: Kind acts increase happiness. The more kind things you do, the better you tend to feel.
• Lower Stress: Helping others can reduce the impact of stress and promote a sense of calm.
• Improved Relationships: Kindness encourages trust and connection, making you more attractive as a friend or partner.
• Ripple Effect: Kindness is contagious. When you are kind to someone, they are more likely to pass it on.

True kindness comes from a place of sincerity and self-awareness.

Being nice is a powerful tool for personal wellbeing and social connection. Whether it’s saying a kind word or volunteering your time, acts of kindness can lift your spirit and inspire others to do the same.

Sources:

1.    Mathers N. Compassion and the science of kindness: Harvard Davis Lecture 2015. Br J Gen Pract. 2016 Jul;66(648):e525-7. doi: 10.3399/bjgp16X686041. PMID: 27364679; PMCID: PMC4917056.

2.    Pluut H, Wonders J. Not Able to Lead a Healthy Life When You Need It the Most: Dual Role of Lifestyle Behaviors in the Association of Blurred Work-Life Boundaries With Well-Being. Front Psychol. 2020 Dec 23;11:607294. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.607294. PMID: 33424717; PMCID: PMC7786197.

Lots of love,

Ochillo Marylyn