![]() In Goldie Hawn’s book she recommends two activities which promote kindness:ġ) The Kindness Game: Plan as a family to do three acts of kindness per day. Wow! Not only do random acts of kindness make the person receiving the kindness feel good, but think of the benefits for the person performing the random acts of kindness! Allan Luks, author of The Healing Power of Doing Good found kindness reduces feelings of depression, lessens hostility and isolation, increases optimism, increases joy, and builds resilience.Researchers at Harvard, found kindness boosts our immune system.According to a study at Cornell University, helping others increases energy, self-esteem, and a sense of mastery over life.We are stimulated immediately but the effects also last over time Dopamine levels raise in the brain and activate the brain’s pleasure centers. ![]() ![]() Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky found that by performing five small acts of kindness/week, particularly a variety of them all in one day, can boost our moods.Kindness begets kindness What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Being Kind? We can strengthen our mirror neuron circuitry by literally practicing helping others, the more acts of kindness we perform the more we grow our brain’s ability to care. It is our mirror neurons that give us the ability to to imagine how another person is feeling, as well as see physically how someone is feeling. Being sensitive, caring, and empathic are important qualities that often lead to careers in the caring professions. I point out that because they have high levels of sensitivity, they are able to be more aware of other’s feelings as well as their own, and therefore often show higher levels of empathy. When I meet with children who have high levels of anxiety, I also talk to them about their levels of sensitivity and sure enough, there is a strong correlation. From these thoughts of empathy and perspective-taking, one puts compassion into action which demonstrates kindness and caring. Kindness comes from being able to empathize with another person and see things from his or her perspective. Research conducted in Vancouver has shown that by focussing on these topics, and incorporating resesarch-proven techniques and activities, one can improve interpersonal relationships, increase performance through better concentration and lead emotionally healthier lives. ~ Goldie HawnĪs with the very successful MindUp program, this book covers topics such as being mindful (mindful breathing, sensing and thinking), the importance of gratitude, kindness and optimism. ![]() Our children are overwhelmed, stressed, and overstimulated, and the need for solutions that simultaneously promote their social and emotional skills, mental health, and academic performance is more critical than ever. I have just finished Goldie Hawn’s excellent book 10 Mindful Minutes – a summary of the Hawn Foundation’s educational MindUp program, but written for parents with easy-to-follow steps that they can share with their children. ![]()
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