The Little Things: How Small Gestures of Kindness Go a Long Way

THE LITTLE THINGS How Small Gestures of Kindness Go a Long Way During childhood, everyone's mother said, “Be nice to people," or "Treat others like you'd like to be treated." Well, Mom was right. Random acts of kindness can pave the way to happiness and be beneficial to your longevity. Here are some facts about their impact, and some acts you can do to make your day that much better! WHY BE KIND ? It makes you happy • Scholarly studies have proven that there's a connection between acts of kindness and boosts in personal happiness. Giving to others has a bigger psychological impact than buying things for yourself. It improves your health • There are many health benefits to being kind and giving to others. These include decreased pain from headaches and backaches, reduced acid reflux, higher energy levels, reduced blood pressure, and increased calmness. It's contagious • Your kind act makes the recipient feel a sense of moral elevation that encourages altruism in his or her actions. · Acts of kindness spread happiness, and people tend to pay them forward. HAPPINESS IS. RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS! Here are 10 acts of kindness to try out in your day-to-day life: Go above and beyond: tip your At a café, pay for the order of the behind person you. waiter 50% of the bill. Put change in an expired parking meter to save someone from Bring breakfast pastries for your team at work or for your class at school. getting a ticket. When a new neighbor moves in, bring them a welcome gift. Organize a clothing drive to help those in need. Donate books to your local library, school, or reading room. Surprise an elderly neighbor by helping them with yard work. Pick up trash at the beach, r playground. Remember, little acts of kindness DO go a long way. Your thoughtful gesture can have a big impacton someone's life! Get out there and be kind. C HRONICLE ВООКS Sources: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/kindness_makes_you_happy_and_happiness_makes_you_kind https://helix.northwestern.edu/article/kindness-contagious-new-study-finds http://apps.cignabehavioral.com/web/basicsite/bulletinßoard/effectsOfHumankindness.jsp https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas Illustrations from Happiness Is. by Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar © 2015 -All rights reserved.