“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” -Jennifer Dukes Lee
Doing good for others is a noble pursuit that also pays handsome rewards right back to the benefactor. The simple act of sharing a smile or holding a door is a thoughtful gift that inspires others to pass it on, while also increasing our own level of happiness.
So, if it seems like kindness can make the world a happier place, you’re not wrong. And just in case you need proof, there’s research to back it up.
Kindness is in our DNA
Doing what comes naturally tends to make us happier. And it turns out we are wired for kindness. Dr. Michael Tomasello of the Max Planck Institute researched this very subject and found that children as young as 14 months old can recognize when an adult needs assistance and will try to help.
So, when your instincts kick in to help someone who is in distress, it isn’t just because you’re looking for ways to increase others’–or your own—happiness, it’s because you were born that way.
Kind Words Connect Us
A positive sense of well-being isn’t the only benefit we reap by helping others. Researchers from UC Riverside noted in a study in the Journal of the Association for Psychological Science that when we express gratitude or share kind words, not only do we feel the satisfaction of having done something for someone else, but we build connections with that person, as well.
Kindness Counts at Work
Offering words of kindness is also important at work. In fact, it might be critical to the success of your team. Research by the University of Michigan Business School found that teams performed the best when they used a ratio of six positive comments for every negative one, versus the teams that performed the worst, giving three positive comments for every negative one. And when teams are happy, everyone is happy, since studies also show that lack of praise is the second leading cause of unhappiness at work.
Kind Words Are a Gift
Kindness is a gift that keeps giving and may be the most thoughtful gift you can give. Sharing kind words is a generous gift of love and just might change the way someone perceives themselves—and even change the way they behave in the future. Harvard Business School conducted a study that found when people were reminded of their positive contributions, they were more likely to continue to perpetuate that behavior. In short, reminding others of their best selves might help them to live up to their highest potential.
Share Your Kind Words
Many strive to do small acts of kindness every day by sharing uplifting words or performing random helpful deeds. Special occasions are not to be overlooked as an important time to remind others of their generosity. Writing an inspiring note in a birthday card or sending positive affirmations in a letter for a long distance gift are simple gestures that may have significant rippling effects.
If you have the desire to sending uplifting notes, but the right words don’t come easily, KindNotes has you covered. KindNotes is a jar of 31 personalized notes they can open once a day, all at once or anytime they need a pick-me-up. You can write your own kind words or choose from our messages to express the sentiments in your heart.
