Written by: Khloe Mace
Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.
Doing kind things for others is a wonderful way to show you care, and studies have shown that being kind can make you feel happier. They have also found that doing acts of kindness can actually improve your mental health, which means it can make your mind feel better.
When you are kind, it is like a special gift you give to others from your heart. But guess what? It is like a gift for yourself, too! When you are kind, it can boost parts of your life that are super important, including how much you like yourself (your self-esteem), how happy you feel and how much stress you have.
Let’s talk about how being kind can help when you are feeling down, sad or worried. Sometimes, doing nice things for others can help take your mind off your own problems. It is like a little break for your brain. Doing small acts of kindness every day can be like a secret helper for your mood. It can make you feel better and even help with challenges such as feeling too stressed or having the blues.
However, being kind needs to come from the right place. It is like when you share your candy because you really want to make a friend happy, not because you want something back. Acts of kindness work the same way. If you are only kind to get something in return, it will not have the same effects on your mental health.
Let me give you an example: Volunteering. When you volunteer, you are doing something kind for others. Even though you are giving up your time to help, it is actually a two-for-one deal. Not only are you helping other people, but you are also helping yourself. Volunteering can make you feel like you belong, like you are a part of something important. It can help you feel less alone and even help you make new friends.
So, the next time you do something kind for others, remember that you’re not just making them happy—you are also doing something awesome for yourself. And it is like a secret recipe for feeling better inside. Whether it is helping a friend, making someone smile or lending a hand, kindness has a way of making the world brighter for everyone, including you!
