A simple act of kindness can change somebody's entire day. Being kind doesn't take much effort, but the payoffs are great. Not only will you make somebody else feel better, but being kind also makes you feel good about yourself.
Luckily, there are countless ways to spread kindness to others. Here we will list only a fraction of them. So, whether you want to do something nice for a stranger or show your friends and family some extra love, you're sure to find an idea on this list that works for you.
Read on to learn how to be kind to others!
How to be kind to strangers
Whether it be in the mall, a restaurant, or any other public space, a simple smile and eye contact can go a long way towards being kind to strangers. Even though these people may not know you, choosing to be polite and friendly makes an impact.
It's a gesture of respect and understanding that communicates to someone else that you recognize them as worthy of kindness. Smile often and you'll be surprised how a simple gesture can bring cheer to someone's day.
Tip
- - Introduce yourself; When you are close enough, introduce yourself and tell them your name. If you feel comfortable, you can also ask them their name.
- - Ask how they are doing; Once you have introduced yourselves, ask the person how they are doing. This shows that you care about their wellbeing and want to make sure they are okay.
- Make sure the person is actually in need of help before offering assistance. If they appear to be fine, it may come off as intrusive to offer help.
- Be specific in your offer of help. If you say something like "let me know if you need anything," the other person may not want to take you up on your offer.
- Don't be too pushy in your offer of help. The other person may not want or need your help, and forcing it upon them will only make them feel uncomfortable.
- Make sure you are actually able to help the other person before offering assistance. There's no use in offering help if you're not actually able to follow through with it.
- Let the other person know that you're happy to help and that they can count on you for support. This will make them feel more comfortable and less alone in their situation.
- Follow up with the other person after you've offered help to see how they're doing and if they took you up on your offer. This shows that you really care and are invested in helping them out.
- - Listen without judgement; you shouldn't make assumptions about what the person is going through or why they are struggling. Instead, simply listen to what the person has to say and try to understand their perspective.
- - Show that you care; this can be done by maintaining eye contact, using an empathetic tone of voice, and asking questions about the person's experiences. By showing that you care, you will make the person feel valued and respected, which can be helpful in itself.
- - Avoid giving advice; while it may be well-intentioned, giving advice can often do more harm than good. This is because the person who is struggling may not be ready to take your advice or they may not agree with it. If you do give advice, be sure to do so in a way that is respectful and non-judgemental.
- - Respect confidentiality; you shouldn't share anything that the person has said with anyone else unless you have their explicit permission to do so. Respecting confidentiality will help the person feel safe and trusting of you, which is essential for effective communication.
- - Follow up with resources; this could involve providing them with information about local support services or simply checking in with them at a later date to see how they are doing. By following up, you can ensure that the person gets the help they need and that their struggles are not ignored.
Tip
How to be kind at work
We usually don't expect kindness from our workplace. But did you know that you can spread more kindness to co-workers and be a better person by doing some small acts?
- - Establish eye contact and give a warm smile when you make contact with your colleague.
- - Greet people cordially with a kind phrase like “Good morning!” or “Hello there!” to make them feel welcome.
- - Reach out to your colleague and start a meaningful chat. Ask about their well-being, and take the time to chat.
Examples;
- - Good morning!
- - Hi, how are you?
- - It's good to see you.
- - How was your weekend?
- - Did you do anything fun?
- - I'm glad to be here
- - Get to know their names; when you know someone’s name, you are more likely to treat them with respect and courtesy. Additionally, knowing someone’s name makes it easier to have a conversation with them.
- - Find out about their interests; ask them about their hobbies or what they like to do in their free time.
- - Ask about their families; when you know more about someone’s family, you will be able to relate to them on a different level and will also have something else in common that you can bond over.
- - Share information about yourself; this doesn’t mean that you need to tell them your life story, but sharing some basic information such as your hobbies or interests can help others to see you as a more well-rounded person.
- - Make an effort to talk to them every day; exchange a few words each day.
- - Invite them out for coffee or lunch; This gives you a chance to get away from the office and relax while you chat and get to know each other better.
Tip
- - Be clear about what you are offering to do.
- - Make sure you have the time to help.
- - Be willing to go above and beyond.
- - Do not expect anything in return.
- - Do not be offended if they decline your offer.
- - Recognize when you're doing it.
- - Think about why you're doing it.
- - Avoid the people who encourage it.
- - Change the subject.
- - Speak up if someone is being hurt by gossip.
- - Practice compassion
How to be kind at home
In my opinion, home is the most important place to spread genuine kindness. Because this is where we should feel the most comfortable and safe, here are a few ways you can be kind at home.
- Greeting your parents; give them a hug or kiss on the cheek. If you are male and shaking hands is more comfortable, that is also perfectly fine. You can say something like, "Mom/Dad, I'm so glad to see you!" or "It's great to be home!"
- Greeting your grandparents; you may want to give them a hug or kiss on the cheek. You can say something like, "Hello Grandma/Grandpa! It's so good to see you!" or "Thank you for having me over!"
- Greeting your siblings; You can say something like, "Hey bro/sis! What's up?" or "Good to see you!"
- Greeting your significant other; it's usually appropriate to give them a hug or kiss on the cheek. You can say something like, "I've missed you!" or "It's so good to see you!"
- - Ask about them; it can be anything from asking how their day is, what happened in their day or if they had any interesting or exciting experiences recently.
- - Acknowledge any mentioned feelings; this can be done by simply saying, "I can see that you're feeling _." Validating someone's feelings can help them feel heard and understood.
- - Listen to them; give them your full attention and not interrupting them while they are speaking. It's also important to try to understand their perspective, even if you don't agree with it.
- - Show them you're on their side; say things like, "I'm here for you" or "I support you." It's important to let the person know that you're not going to judge them or try to fix their problems, but that you're there for them no matter what.
- - Let them know you care about them; you can let them know how much you value them, how thankful you are for them, or how proud you are of them. Use phrases like "I care about you," "I'm here for you," or "I'm thinking of you" if you wish to be more direct.
Tip
- - Practice patience with them
- - Bring home gifts
- - Spend time together
- - Compliment them
- - Cook for them/bring food home
- - Pick up groceries
- - Show your appreciation
- - Provide emotional support
- - Help with household tasks and errands
- - Assist with medical appointments and treatments
- - Help with financial tasks
- - Help with transportation
- - Make sure they're eating healthily
- - Pack their lunch for them
Why Does Kindness Matter?
Kindness matters because it can lead to positive emotions and decreased stress. Acts of kindness and acts of novelty affect life satisfaction, indicating that performing acts of kindness or novelty can increase life satisfaction.
Kindness can also increase feelings of happiness, calm, gratitude, and being inspired. During this study, the staff and the patients of a healthcare setting were allowed to watch kindness media or do an activity that promoted kindness. The study found that the staff and patients who participated in the kindness activity had significantly lower stress levels than those who did not participate.
There are also physical benefits to being kind. One study found that giving social support can lead to a decrease in the risk of dying. People who provided social support had a 50% reduction in the risk of death.
Another NCBI study about The Influence of the Source of Social Support and the Size of Social Networks confirmed that receiving social support from relatives reduces the risk of death by 19%.
So, being kind not only makes the recipient feel good, but it also benefits the giver. Random acts of kindness can lead to a reduction in stress, an increase in life satisfaction, and even better physical health.
Conclusion
Being kind to someone is not hard as you think it may be. Random acts of kindness help the well-being of others and yourself. So go out there and start being kind to others! 🙂
FAQ
Why Is It Important To Be Kind?
Being kind isn't just about making other people feel good - it's also good for our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that self-kindness is associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression, as well as increased self-esteem and overall life satisfaction. Furthermore, being kind to others has been linked to improved physical health and reduced risk of death.
What Makes A Person Kind?
No one quality makes a person kind. Everyone can be kind in their way. Some people are naturally compassionate, while others may have to work a little harder at it. However, some common qualities often lead to kindness. People who are patient and understanding tend to be more kind, as they are more likely to see things from someone else's perspective.
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