Be Kind to Strangers
This is the final part of three blog posts on Kindness. The first ‘Be kind to yourself’ about letting yourself off the hook, the second ‘Be kind to your household’ especially when they are trying your patience. Both can be read by clicking the links. This one focuses on being kind to strangers.
Kindness is like a viral YouTube video. Every person who sees it feels like sharing it with others.
Covid-19 has brought about a lot of global anxiety and fear. I have noticed that on walks, while people are social distancing a lot of people are even afraid to look up or say hello. Like somehow exchanging pleasantries will make us more susceptible to catching the virus.
I stopped to speak to an older gentleman on one of my daily walks with my little pup Olive. At the end he told me I was the first person he had had a conversation with in about 2 weeks! As much as I was glad I had stopped this made me feel very sad.
The majority of us are going through this pandemic in a household full of people, or maybe we live alone but we are taking advantage of technology and using facetime or zoom to stay in touch. However, for many of the older generation in our community this time may be extremely lonely and isolating period, especially if they have no other family.
This is not about putting yourself at risk but if you know of anyone near you living alone, maybe pop something through their letterbox to say that you are there or maybe check if they need anything? During walks, stop to strike up a conversation with anyone walking alone.
Another way we can be kind is having some compassion for others. Is the screaming of your neighbours’ young child wrecking your head? Its natural for us all to get easily frustrated at this time, but if you feel frustrated, how must your neighbour feel cooped up with a young child all day during this time? A toddler does not understand that lockdown means they cant see others or go to the park.
The famous saying;
You never know what someone is going through so be kind
Is even more relevant now, as whatever struggles people are going through have probably been magnified through the Covid-19 crisis.
A kind word or action to a stranger can be a small moment in your day but can have a huge impact in theirs.
Best of all kindness is contagious. When we show kindness to someone, that person is more likely to be kind to someone else. That is how we can make our community a better place.
Neuroscience shows that kindness is not just altruistic either, the giver of kindness also receives many benefits. Explained in the blog post ‘Why Being Kind to Strangers is So Important for Your Brain’
Benefits include;
Receiving a “helpers high”. When we show kindness our brain produces dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, these chemicals help us to feel calm, reducing pain, and strengthening our cognitive skills and motivation.
Another chemical produced is oxytocin, which strengthens the bond between the giver and receiver thereby bolstering the community-building instinct.
It also reduces your own levels of stress and anxiety. Showing kindness, especially when you are struggling with stress or anxiety, can reduce those negative feelings by suppressing the surge of cortisol and other stress-response chemicals in your brain.
There is no downside to kindness. So, in a world where you can be anything, be kind.
During this time if you feel you are struggling with your mental health at this time feel free to contact me today. My sessions have been reduced while we are in this pandemic, see pricing for details. I am also holding a free Online clinic each Monday click here for details.
You may also like to download my free Deep Relaxation Audio to help with anxiety, stress or sleep issues.
If you enjoyed this blog you can find others here.
Stay Safe Everyone x
Useful Links
https://kwiklearning.com/kwik-tips/why-being-kind-to-strangers-is-so-important-for-your-brain/
https://positivepsychlopedia.com/year-of-happy/the-benefits-of-kindness/
