FUN FACT
Science has also proven that performing Random Acts of Kindness toward ourselves and others can increase oxytocin, dopamine, endorphins and serotonin levels. These feel good chemical messengers are known for their ability to help people bond, promote positive feelings of happiness, love and joy, and experience pleasure, in turn affecting all body over function.
Amid the challenges of the pandemic, now more than ever is a time to be kind. Simply sending a thoughtful note to a faraway friend, shovelling snow from an elderly neighbour’s driveway, or agreeing to an afternoon of free babysitting for a busy parent can make a huge difference in someone’s day.
Being kind can help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well. A study in the journal Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science found that people who practiced a kindness mindset had 23% lower cortisol levels than the average person. It also is proven to lower your blood pressure and dilate blood vessels, which ultimately improves our cardiovascular health.
https://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/index?journalid=201
Amid the challenges of the pandemic, now more than ever is a time to be kind. Simply sending a thoughtful note to a faraway friend, shovelling snow from an elderly neighbour’s driveway, or agreeing to an afternoon of free babysitting for a busy parent can make a huge difference in someone’s day.
Matthieu Ricard, a Tibetan monk and geneticist, now 76 years old, was at one time concluded the world’s happiest man. All this is possible through the coherence of his heart and mind which was obtained and maintained through daily gratitude and meditation practice.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-worlds-happiest-man-is-a-tibetan-monk-105980614/
I do understand that most of us are challenged to create time for ourselves. We all can’t be Tibetan monks who meditate so intensely and regularly, but we can implement and adapt certain practices that suit our own uniqueness to help us establish a stronger connection to our hearts. Even just 10 minutes before starting or ending the day is helpful and will start opening up that connection between heart and mind.
You may choose to practice deep breathing or to listen to an audio meditation or practice gratitude. These simple acts of self kindness have the power to change our internal dialogue as well as help us grow resilience to stress and help us view the world through different sets of eyes.
Please connect with me if you are wanting to learn more about Meditation and Mindfulness techniques and how to implement them into your daily practice.
