Practicing conscious living involves cultivating a mindset of mindfulness and compassion, where each decision is guided by kindness towards oneself and others. When you practice conscious living your vibe spread beyond your brain and become contagious. Kindness can change your life and the world.
The other day, I was vending at a holiday fair when the vendor next to me said they would buy lunch, and if I wanted them to bring me some? I was so grateful for the offer since these fairs tend to be long, and food is always a problem. So I looked up the menu and handed the lady money, but she said, “No, that one is on me!
I wasn’t sure how to react, but since I am working with a book called “The Generosity Practice” by Christina Frei, I was aware of my thoughts and feelings when giving and receiving kindness. Eventually, I thanked the lady for her generosity and enjoyed her kindness.
The dictionary defines kindness as being friendly, considerate, and generous.
The benefits of kindness on your brain:
- Kindness boosts feel-good hormones in the brain
- Kindness slows us down
Kindness and the feel-good hormones in your brain
Were you ever experiencing your heart opening as warmth washed over you in reaction to kindness? This wasn’t your imagination; researchers found that when you are kind, your brain secretes three hormones: oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine.”
Oxytocin – The Love Hormone
Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, is a hormone that binds people together. It is secreted in the brains of new moms when they give birth and breastfeed their babies. Being connected to others was shown to contribute to better well-being and longevity.
This means that being kind will trigger oxytocin in your brain, making you more inclined to create relationships, leading to a healthier, longer life.
Oxytocin plays a role in reducing inflammation in the cardiovascular system and in the production of nitric oxide. This compound dilates your blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. So oxytocin is beneficial for the physical and spiritual heart.
Serotonin & Dopamine – The Feel Good Hormones
When you engage in acts of kindness, the brain rewards you by releasing dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is a hormone that makes you feel good, and serotonin keeps you calm.
Both hormones are part of the reward cycle of the brain. The reward cycle was developed in the brain to reinforce behaviors that contribute to the survival of yourself and humanity as a race.
Being in a relationship was essential for the survival of our ancestors, the hunters and gatherers who were prayed by wild animals.
Kindness = Being present at the moment = Being attentive to someone’s needs.
Slowing down and actively observing the current needs is essential for cultivating kindness toward yourself or others.
When you slow your pace you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, leading to breathing deeply and lowering blood pressure.
How kindness can change the world = Kindness is contagious
From Dr David R Hamilton
Have a stranger ever paid for your coffee or held the door for you? Experiencing an act of kindness can bring a smile to your face and improve your mood.
Research suggests that kind acts are contagious as they spread through three social steps. It works like a ripple effect; your kindness improves somebody’s mood, making them more inclined to be kind to others, and on and on.
Practicing conscious living is empowering. Knowing that my small act of kindness can grow to improve the lives of so many is an empowering experience. For me, it is just one more proof of our interconnectedness, of the unseen thread of gold that ties our hearts together.
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