Essay on Kindness

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500 Words Essay On Kindness

The world we live in today has been through a lot of things from world wars to epidemics, but one thing which remained constant throughout was resilience and kindness. Moreover, it was the spirit to fight back and help out each other. Kindness must be an essential and universal quality to make the world a better place. Through an essay on kindness, we will go through it in detail.

essay on kindness

Importance of Kindness

Kindness towards nature, animals and other people has the ability to transform the world and make it a beautiful place for living. But, it is also important to remember that kindness towards you is also essential for personal growth.

Kindness is basically being polite, compassionate and thoughtful. Every religion and faith teaches its followers to be kind. Most importantly, kindness must not limit to humans but also to every living creature.

Even nature has its own way of showing kindness. For instance, the trees grow fruits for us and provide us with shade. One must not see kindness as a core value but as a fundamental behavioural element. When you are kind to your loved ones, you create a stable base.

As people are becoming more self-centred today, we must learn kindness. We must try to integrate it into ourselves. You might not know how a small act of kindness can bring about a change in someone’s life. So, be kind always.

Kindness Always Wins

There is no doubt that kindness always wins and it has been proven time and again by people. Sid is a greedy man who does not share his wealth with anyone, not even his family members.

He also does not pay his workers well. One day, he loses his bag of gold coins and loses his temper. Everyone helps him out to search for it but no one finds it. Finally, his worker’s little son finds the bag.

Upon checking the bag, he sees all the coins are there. But, his greed makes him play a trick on the poor worker. He claims that there were more coins in the bag and the worker stole them.

The issue goes to the court and the judge confirms from Sid whether his bag had more coins to which he agrees. So, the judge rules out that as Sid’s bag had more coins , the bag which the worker’s son found is not his.

Therefore, the bag gets handed to the worker as no one else claims it. Consequently, you see how the worker’s son act of kindness won and paid him well. On the other hand, how Sid’s greediness resulted in his loss only.

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Conclusion of the Essay on Kindness

It is essential for all of us to understand the value of kindness. Always remember, it does not cost anything to be kind. It may be a little compliment or it can be a grand gesture, no matter how big or small, kindness always matters. Therefore, try your best to be kind to everyone around you.

FAQ of Essay on Kindness

Question 1: Why is it important to be kind?

Answer 1: It is important to be kind because it makes one feel good about oneself. When you do things for other people and help them with anything, it makes you feel warm and that you have accomplished something. Moreover, you also get respect in return.

Question 2: Why is kindness so powerful?

Answer 2: Kindness has a lot of benefits which includes increased happiness and a healthy heart . It slows down the ageing process and also enhances relationships and connections, which will indirectly boost your health.

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The heart and science of kindness

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Kindness (noun): the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate; a kind act. — English Oxford Living Dictionaries

Ombudspeople like myself have a unique view of the institutions they serve. Some of us fondly refer to it as the "view from the underbelly" of our organizations. The urgent calls we get aren't to share a recent act of kindness. Visitors who arrive at our offices often do so feeling under siege from less than kindly forces. We hear repeatedly of our visitors' desire to be treated with kindness, and of the wish that they could themselves rise above unkindness to be their best kind selves. Here, then, are some thoughts on kindness — how to give and receive it.

Kindness starts with being kind to yourself

Ever notice how much better you treat others when you've taken care of yourself? In a pressure-filled environment it's easy to work through lunch, work through dinner, and respond to emails at 11 pm. But the world often rights itself when we take a moment to breathe, assess what we need, and seek it. (Sleep? A relaxed meal, anyone?)

Be kind to yourself when you misstep, which happens to everybody. Setting upon ourselves may cause collateral damage, making others the target of the anger or frustration or disappointment that we really feel about ourselves. It can feel good to direct these upsetting emotions away from ourselves and onto others, but for how long, really?

Lead with compassion, follow with kindness

Everyone has challenges, many hidden from sight. If you knew that your coworker delivering the curt response to a question or the snarky critique of a project had recently learned of a serious illness in their family, wouldn't you cut them some slack? And better yet, might you then want to reach out with support? When we are compassionate, we are recognizing our shared human condition. Compassion can guide us to acts of kindness. Maybe we keep our mouth shut instead of calling out the misdemeanor. Or we find a private time to ask if everything is okay. Sometimes kindness is offering to get coffee, or bringing back a cookie from a lunchtime workshop just because.

We feel happier when we act in service to others

A recent study reported on how people felt after performing or observing kind acts every day for seven days. Participants were randomly assigned to carry out at least one more kind act than usual for someone close to them, an acquaintance or stranger, or themselves, or to try to actively observe kind acts. Happiness was measured before and after the seven days of kindness. The researchers found that being kind to ourselves or to anyone else — yes, even a stranger — or actively observing kindness around us boosted happiness.

Choose kindness

While we may not have control over another person, we do have control over ourselves. What does it mean to be our best selves? Isn't being kind in the mix of choices we have each and every day? We can't make anyone else be kind, but that doesn't have to stop us from aspiring to be kind, no matter what.

Give to give, not to receive

The purest form of kindness may have no audience and offer no credit. Kindness to accumulate thanks is self-serving at best. Some may even say it's an effort to control or make the recipient feel indebted. But when we are kind even if — maybe especially if — there's no such payback, the rewards may be all the sweeter. I heard a story about someone who learned that a child from a family with very little money really wanted a bicycle. This fairy godparent bought a super nice bike and asked the shopkeeper to write a highly discounted receipt for an amount the family could afford. The family reimbursed the fairy godparent for the receipt price without knowing it cost far more. Now that's kindness!

We become kinder with practice

So, practice. Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller, once said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." If random acts of kindness don't come easily to you, try this challenge: do one small, kind thing each day for someone. Then pay attention to the impact on you. Does it become easier the more you do it? Do you start to notice and act on more opportunities to be kind in your world? Do you start to feel lighter? Kinder?

Kindness begets kindness

Just as a bully of a boss can foster a culture of bullying and fear down the hierarchical line, so can kindness from one help to foster kindness in others. We often take our cues from leaders, coworkers, labmates, and others we live with many hours a day. Why not be the kind person from whom others take their cues? The one who helps people turn to one another in small and big ways that illustrate a spirit of generosity?

Kindness is lasting

When I was a terribly insecure and shy misfit of a college freshman, I was going through the cafeteria line by myself one fall day. When I got to the checkout, the woman at the cash register said, "You have such a pretty face." Now, over 40 years later, I still remember that unexpected moment of kindness from a stranger. Who do you remember most? And how do you want to be remembered?

About the Author

Melissa Brodrick, MEd , Contributor

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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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kindness towards yourself essay

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Positive emotions have been linked with better health, longer life, and greater well-being in numerous scientific studies. On the other hand, chronic anger, worry, and hostility increase the risk of developing heart disease, as people react to these feelings with raised blood pressure and stiffening of blood vessels. But it isn’t easy to maintain a healthy, positive emotional state. Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength is a guide to the concepts that can help you find well-being and happiness, based on the latest research.

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Possibility Change

How to Be Kind to Yourself

Be kind to yourself

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. – Seneca

A couple of days ago someone said to me: “Be kind to yourself”. Ever since hearing these words they have been stuck in my head. I have always understood the importance of kindness, but I have always focused on kindness to others . I had never thought about kindness towards myself . It really got me thinking about how to be kind to yourself.

I started with how it feels to have someone be kind to you. I know that feeling. It’s warm and cozy and bonding. Then, I thought about how it feels to be kind – the type of emotions that surge within you when you are considering another person; care and gentleness. I do not often feel these types of emotions when dealing with myself. This leads me to question whether I am ever pointedly kind to myself and how my life would be different if I specifically paid myself some kind of attention.

I’ve been thinking about how to be kind to yourself and the benefits of doing so. The following are eight of my suggestions:

1. Be Patient

It is important to be patient with yourself if you are battling with a task. The other night I was in a yoga class, it was hot and sticky, and I was repeatedly falling out of balance because my hands kept slipping. I was highly irritated with myself. My teacher reminded me that some days I would be better at it than others, some days my practice would be stronger than others, and that it was not a competition with myself.

Now I think: “What if I had said that to myself and not relied on the teacher to divert me from unkind behavior towards myself?” Impatience tends to lead to decreased self-esteem and a general bad mood . It is also something we tend to brood over; getting stuck in the negative past instead of valuing the present moment. Stay patient and you will be sure to have more peace in your life.

2. Watch Your Words

Everybody has self-talk or self-chatter. Sometimes it is positive and sometimes it is negative (or very negative). Do you say things to yourself such as: “You idiot” or “How could you do that?” Do you say things to yourself that you wouldn’t say to others? Is what you say to yourself kind?

I know that if someone said directly to me some of the reprimands that I give myself, I would be extremely hurt. So why is it okay for me to make such comments to myself? Monitoring your self-talk is an essential part of figuring out how to be kind to yourself.

For many reasons, it is good to try to be aware of negative self-talk and to turn it around. With self-awareness , one can take action. In the case of “kindness to self”, I think it is important to change ugly words and tones into sentences that you would feel comfortable using with someone else. Nice words, kind words, make you feel good or better or even accepted.

3. Encourage Yourself

When things are tough or you are battling with something, encouragement is a wonderful means of giving you a boost. But, does encouragement have to come from someone externally? I think we should always have enough positive belief in ourselves to carry us through. Belief is empowering and a crucial part of understanding how to be kind to yourself.

Forgiveness is often not easy. One of the steps in attaining forgiveness is self-forgiveness. So, if we don’t get that right, we are “doomed” in attempts to forgive others. Forgiving yourself is kind. Forgiving others is kind.

Acts of kindness involve giving – whether it is material, time or energy of some sort. Are you generous towards yourself? I think it is important to treat yourself with things you enjoy (even if it is simply a bath in beautiful oils) and gifts.

Everyone needs to take time and energy out for themselves, be it reading a book, attending a class, or having coffee with a friend. I need to do more of this.

You give to others to rejuvenate them. You are just as worthy of and in need of rejuvenation. This is part of learning how to be kind to yourself. Rejuvenation is vital to success. Besides, you can’t give to others, if you don’t have enough for yourself first.

Kindness also involves listening. Do you listen to yourself? Do you hear what your body, heart, and soul are saying?

It’s important to rest if you are tired, to take a break if you have been mentally overworking, to make changes if you are dissatisfied, to seek help if you need it, etc. It’s another key to success and happiness. Paying attention to yourself is part of a positive life journey.

With kindness, one creates a space for and allows another person to be themselves and experience their feelings. Allowing yourself to feel painful or negative emotions helps move forward–as long as you deal with them. If you keep on covering them up, they continue to draw you downward and backward. You can be empathetic and compassionate with yourself without wallowing in self-pity. I don’t think that I am most efficient with dealing with my emotions. There is a bit of a fight going on there. That energy is better spent elsewhere.

8. Give Advice

Kindness can involve the giving of advice or suggestions. So it’s a matter of taking things into your own hands, learning what you need, and applying it (in a kind manner!). A step towards growth.

If you think about it, is everyone not worthy of kindness? So then too are you.

I’ve decided that I need to cultivate kindness towards myself. I need it in order to extend my acts of kindness, to raise my energy levels and I think it will bring more contentment into my life.

What about you? Do you need to treat yourself better? Or, do you have any tips for how to be kind to yourself? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

About The Author

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Juliet du Preez

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Possibility Change

39 thoughts on “How to Be Kind to Yourself”

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This is a beautiful post and I very much enjoyed reading it. These few things that are stated here are the best way for you to uplift yourself and make your day and thus your life better. Thanks

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For me this has been one of life’s biggest lessons. I think of it as self-honoring. I’m getting better. I think being one of ten children and working on the family farm didn’t allow time for nurturing myself.

Now I have nothing better to do and still struggle with it! Hey but small steps right?

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Great thoughts and suggestions. Yes we must be kind to ourselves, for it is through the love of ourselves that our love will radiate to others. The biggest offender is that people talk down to themselves when they make a mistake. I often catch people doing this and ask them not to say mean things to my friend, it takes them a minute and then they get it.

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Good topic! Here is the true story i experienced today… I was treated unfair. While i could go off and easily prove it is wrong I have chosen to forgive the other guy and move on. I know that people who knows me well won’t believe it anyway (they have not btw). I decided to be kind to myself by not wasting my precious time on nonsense – i decided to forgive and move on. What would you do?

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Great ideas, I will try to apply those. I have found that it’s easier to be nice to others, but very hard to be nice to ourselves. I think being a Virgo in nature, I am my worst critic and I need to be nicer to myself.

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Thank you so much for writing this blog post. I struggle SO MUCH!!! with my negative self-chatter!

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We should always try not to beat ourselves up due to mistakes that we had made. We need to know how to forgive ourselves and learn from our mistakes.

Cheers Vincent Personal Development Blogger

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Great post! Many people are really hard on themselves, and I used to be too. For example if I forgot to journal for one day, I would berate myself. Now I just forgive myself for not being perfect, and allow myself to journal only when I feel like it, with no pressure or judgment.

Thanks for all the great advice here.

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Hi, Juliet kindly pointed me to your site.

A few days ago, my brother spoke unkindly to me and it really hurts. I still could not take the hurt off me because of the way it was spat at my face. I try to forgive him for he is a bachelor at 45 years old and has no idea about relationships in a marriage. How can find in myself to forgive someone so close? And go back to loving myself.

Thank you kindly.

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Actually, we treat others as we treat ourselves. If you treat others differently from how you treat yourself, then there’s some kind of fear or manipulation going on — attempts to have others like you or accept you, perhaps. But a person who is not generous to oneself cannot truly be generous to others, and one who does not trust oneself has a hard time truly trusting others.

Always begin with self.

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Great post! I believe being kind to ourself have a lot to do with loving our self. In my own jounrey I realized the reason being kind to myself wasn’t easy was because I didn’t love myself as much as say ‘I would love a boy friend.” It wasn’t until I learn to love myself then being kind to myself become normal things to do.

A wonderful post, beautifully written.

Thank you, Giovanna Garcia Imperfect Action is better than No Action

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Very beautifully written!! We often forget to be kind to ourselves. The things we say to others are a lot less harsher often enough. Love the tips here!

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Vital message, Juliet!! Thank you! How can we ever be truly kind to another if we are unable to be kind to ourself? All things begin ‘at home.’ blessings to you and all you hold dear, CG

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Hi Coryelle Thank you. Yes, we need to make every day special

Hi Tess One of 10 children! I’m glad that you are now working on self-nourishment.

Hi Mark That is a wonderful way of helping your friends help themselves. I’ll remember that. I have a friend who is always saying she is stupid.

Hi Alik I think that to truly forgive is commendable. I’m not sure of your situation, but I would like to say that I too would take that approach. I find it’s better to try and avoid negative spirals. Besides which, if those close to you choose not to believe and support you, then do you really want them to be “those close to you”?

Hi Jennifer I’m glad that I could provide some tips.

Hi YS It is an absolute pleasure. Sometimes we need all the help we can get against negative self-talk.

Hi Vincent You raise a good point about learning from our mistakes. That too leads to success and happiness.

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Juliet, you have brought me to tears with this post because i have made mistakes in the past that i so much wanted to forgive myself from and now I have that chance because i read your article and you have shown me to let the past go and be happy to accept myslef for who I am and who i can accomplish to be and treat myself like as if i were treating a friend. Thank you so much because you have just shown millions of girls like me to finally figure out how to be happy. You have just given advice to girls what you maybe could have told yourself years ago. respact others before you respect yourself and keep going so that you dont have to keep starting over.😂😊😌

Hi Daphne That is the real trick – reduce pressure on oneself and self-judgement. It makes life so much easier and more pleasant – fun ;) Hi Annie I can feel your pain. I don’t know the details, but it is his problem and not yours. I see that you are trying to view it from his perspective, but perhaps take some time to look at what it is that hurt you so much. Once you can resolve that, you may find that self-love and from there the forgiveness. Perhaps other readers can help Annie out here a bit?

Hi Ari True. I think that point has very much on my mind around this issue.

Hi Evelyn Thank you for the compliment!

Hi CG I like the way you put it: “all things begin at home”. I think I need to remember that for life in general.

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Hi Juliet .. what a brilliant post – so pertinent to me at the moment and your other contributors have some challenging things going on & also some amazingly sensible suggestions ..

I often stop berating myself .. as I realise it’s not sensible; if I’m becoming impatient with myself .. I just take a step back & start again; the putting the pain behind one from loved ones unthouhtful comments is very difficult .. it’s something I’ve learnt: – my mother 88 is dying & I just put myself into that bed (2 years now) & think how would I like to be treated? etc .. what would I need? .. how could they help me? – we tend to have a selfish streak in us

I now try and put that sort of thinking into things I do or say .. I’m not perfect, but I’m getting better.

Thanks again .. for a very good post .. on being kind to myself …

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I really love this article. Yeah, i must admit. Sometimes i can be too harsh on myself too. And it ruined me. Didnt realize it at all… But it’s true..maybe i should also learn to be kind to myself … Thanks ea:)!!

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Patience and encouragement is something that I could work at more.

I like your points on not waiting for someone to do there things to/for us, we have to take the initiative to show kindness to ourselves.

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This year I am working on truly listening to my authentic self (body, mind, and spirit) and I appreciate the words of wisdom you offer. For me to really listen to myself I need quality quiet time to listen to my inner wisdom.

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Hi Juliet, great reflection here. I will be focusing on be patient, because it is my great weakness all this time. Thanks for sharing these, Juliet.

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Forgiveness is definitely not easy. I often tell myself that since I’m working on being more patient and forgiving towards others, I might as well give myself the same treatment.

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Thanks for this post. It relates to one thing I’ve been noticing recently — that when I’m not being nice to myself I’ll start depending on others to be kind to me, and that creates a dynamic nobody wants to be in. If I’m kind to myself I can let go of that attachment and just relax and have fun in relating with people. — Best, Chris

Hi Hilary That is a wonderful approach to put yourself into other’s shoes. I think that not only helps them, but ultimately yourself.

Hi Kamelia Glad I could remind you to be gentle with yourself

Hi Carla I think that that was one of my biggest realizations too: I need to act on it.

Hi Stacey It is so important to be able to tap into our inner selves and use that strength and knowledge in the world.

Hi Arswino I’m guilty of setting expectations for myself that are too high, but, one thing I often tell myself is that enjoyment is the most important thing at the end of the day.

Hi Vered I think creating the spirit within yourself too will enable the patience and forgiveness to expand.

Hi Chris That’s a very good observation. I try to extract myself from unhealthy dynamics.

Thank you for your support everyone! Juliet

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Hi Juliet – Many people overlook the idea of having a relationship with yourself, and especially having a good relationship with yourself! Thinking of the way that you would like to treat other people and then applying those ideas to yourself would be a great way to start being much kinder to yourself ;) I love this idea!

Hi Juliet &

Hi Amanda .. – thanks for that post .. what a sensible approach .. I ‘ll look into that idea and

Juliet & everyone .. take some of the suggestions your articulate readers have put forward .. – it’s so helpful to me now .. thank you!

“Having a relationship with yourself” is a wonderful way to think of it. That creates such potential! Thank you for contributing that.

So glad that you are benefiting from the conversation and topic.

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What an awesome post! Thank-you!

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Thank you for this excellent article. It’s great to see so many people have enjoyed it!

I had meant to comment sooner, but the past few days I have had a cold (again). I think I need to be kinder to myself by accepting I can’t do everything I want to do, taking more time to relax and getting more sleep.

Thanks again for the guest post :)

Hi Carrie I appreciate the comment ;)

Hi Peter Pleasure. I hope you feel better now.

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Hi, Not long ago I also realized that I had somehow forgotten to be sweet. I used to be sweet when I was a child, and very very kind with everyone… even to myself. Somehow I changed into an ironic speech and a hardened soul and sweetness got lost somewhere in the process. It was listening to a video recorded by a super sweet woman that I realized how much of my own sweetness I had lost. Your post is an excellent reminder to be kind to others and oneself and I guess we can take that to every positive feeling we ever felt and lost in the way. Cheers, Patricia

Hi Patricia

Thank you for your message: “we can take that to every positive feeling we ever felt and lost in the way”

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It is only by learning to be kind to ourselves that we’d learn how to be kind to other people as well. Be blessed!

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What a lovely post. My Ayurveda teachers have taught me to look at self kindness at a deeper level and have shown me that daily acts of self care are essential not only to our physical well-being but to our minds and hearts too.

You make some important points in this post and I hope many will read them and reflect on how they can show themselves some kindness.

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yes, also we should give our body some rest, this way we are kind to our bodies

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I’m officially ashamed of myself and revamping my thought process as I read…I try my best to encourage others to reach their full potential and to not be so hard on themselves, and yet…don’t give myself the same respect, love and kindness in return. Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this piece! I have a lot of apologizing to do to myself, needing forgiveness for all the hurt these part years…what better time to start than today?! ^_^.

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This is a very great post indeed… Being a sensitive guy in his early 20’s, i often beat myself up if i did any mistakes or if others became angry at me.. For me not being nice to myself has made me so critical in my relationship with my girlfriend.. It has made me trust my girlfriend less and always having this negative thoughts that i am not good enough for her..

Ive learnt that, I need to have faith in myself and love myself first before i can have faith and love someone else. It is a hard journey for me but the journey is worth fighting for. My girlfriend is my motivation and i will make sure she has the best man that she can ever ask for.. And all that begins with me…

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This is a masterpiece, mind blowing…… You really need to feel the way I beat myself when I mk mistakes, always wanting to b perfect… Thanks so much for this eye-opener

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I am too kind to myself, and too patient. I never can make myself do what I don’t feel like doing, and I let myself off the hook all the time. Obviously this leads to living like an animal and to frequent disaster. Killing myself with kindness.

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Be Kind To Yourself: Reasons, Strategies, Therapies

cover

If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re looking for ways to be kinder and more compassionate towards yourself. This can be an incredibly difficult thing to do, but it is possible! It may seem like a lot of work just to get started with self-compassion or to be kind to yourself. But once you’ve done the hard work of changing your mindset – it becomes second nature.

  • 1 What Is Self Compassion Or To Be Kind To Yourself?
  • 2.1 Mindfulness
  • 2.2 Self Kindness
  • 2.3 Common Humanity
  • 3.1 We deserve compassion because we’re human
  • 3.2 We matter and our lives are important
  • 3.3 We deserve true happiness
  • 3.4 Because we can’t help it
  • 3.5 Because we’re the only ones who can change how we feel
  • 4.1 People don’t take advantage of your kindness
  • 4.2 It’s not just about being kind, it’s about why you’re doing it
  • 5.1 Self-compassion is a skill that can be learned by anyone
  • 6.1 Therapies For Increasing self Compassion
  • 7 The Bottom Line
  • 8 Conclusion
  • 9 A Word From Mantra Care

What Is Self Compassion Or To Be Kind To Yourself?

tips

Self-compassion is the ability to be kind and understanding toward yourself in times of suffering. It’s about how you treat yourself, not what you do or accomplish.

Self Compassion is an important concept that has been gaining traction in the scientific community over the past few decades. Research suggests it can help alleviate psychological issues such as anxiety , depression , perfectionism , and low self-esteem.

It also helps people cope with life’s stressors by allowing them to let go of feelings of inadequacy , develop more positive relationships and experience greater well-being.

Components Of Self Compassion

components

Self-compassion has three main components: mindfulness , self-kindness, and common humanity.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness means being aware of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment without judging them. When you’re mindful, you can accept your thoughts and feelings instead of resisting them or trying to push them away. This can be difficult at first. If you’re not used to it, thinking about your feelings and acknowledging them can feel strange or uncomfortable at first. But practicing mindfulness can help you get more comfortable with being aware of what’s happening in your thoughts and feelings.

In Short: Being aware of your thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way.

Self Kindness

Self Kindness is one of the most important components, which means being kind and understanding towards yourself when life doesn’t go as planned or if things don’t work out how we hoped they would. In other words, Self-kindness is about accepting yourself just as you are, without trying to change anything or wishing things were different. Self-kindness is about being warm and understanding towards yourself instead of harshly critical or judgmental. It involves treating yourself kindly despite any mistakes or failures, rather than criticizing yourself for them. It’s also knowing that you are not alone in feeling what you feel.

In Short: Being supportive and caring

Common Humanity

Common humanity is the understanding that all people have their strengths and struggles. It’s recognizing that everyone has difficult times, including you! Common humanity means seeing your pain from a broader perspective. So it doesn’t seem quite as unique or alone as it may feel at first glance. It is recognizing that everyone experiences pain, fear , anxiety, sadness , etc. that’s part of life. We all experience some form of suffering at one time or another.

In Short: Recognizing that imperfection is part of being human and understanding our shared experiences with others’ difficulties

The Reasons To Be Kind To Yourself

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Be kind to yourself because you deserve it. You’re a good person and having compassion for yourself can help with your self-esteem as well as improve the quality of your life overall.

When we don’t treat ourselves kindly, our problems go deeper than just feeling bad about this one thing that happened. We start to have trouble trusting ourselves, we become more pessimistic and judgmental of others, and we might even develop anxiety or depression. These are all things that can keep us from living our lives to the fullest potential.

There are countless reasons to be kind to yourself, but here are just a few:

We deserve compassion because we’re human

Be kind to yourself because you’re worth it! You matter, and your life is important. When we’re compassionate towards ourselves, it can lead to increased feelings of happiness , satisfaction with life, and a sense of purpose. It also allows us to connect more deeply with others, build stronger relationships, and be more effective at work.

We matter and our lives are important

Be kind to yourself because you’re the only one who can. You are the only one who knows what’s best for you, and nobody else can make decisions for you or tell you what to do. In addition, self-compassion allows us to be more authentic to ourselves, which can lead to a more fulfilling life.

We deserve true happiness

It also helps to think about what you would say or do for your loved ones in difficult situations. We wouldn’t hesitate to comfort or help a loved one, so why not do the same for ourselves?

When we show self-compassion, it sends the message that we are worth caring for. And when we know that we’re worth caring for, we can begin to believe that we deserve true happiness in our lives.

When you’re kind and compassionate towards yourself, research shows that you tend to be more patient with others, have increased self-esteem, feel more optimistic and be less reactive in difficult situations. Kindness breeds happiness, and who couldn’t use a little extra happiness in their life?

Because we can’t help it

When we’re not self-compassionate, our thoughts and feelings often get in the way of who we are or what we want for ourselves. Self-criticism keeps us from being able to see the bigger picture and be more accepting of all parts of ourselves.

You deserve compassion and warmth when things don’t go as planned or if things don’t work out how we hoped they would. Just like we want others to be there for us, we need to learn how to do the same thing in our relationships with ourselves.

Because we’re the only ones who can change how we feel

Self-compassion is about accepting ourselves for who we are, and it also involves a sense of personal responsibility. We can’t control everything that happens in our lives, but we can always choose how we react to things.

When we’re compassionate towards ourselves, it gives us the power to change our thoughts and feelings. It helps us to be more understanding and less judgmental of ourselves. This can then lead to self-acceptance which is key for lasting happiness and fulfillment.

We can change how we feel by being kind to ourselves

Treating ourselves kindly can help us to become healthier, more emotionally stable, and less stressed. When we’re upset or struggling with something it makes sense that instead of being hard on yourself you would want kindness from others if they are available. It also helps us feel closer to other people, which is another way of showing our gratitude for their support.

Wby You Should Not Be Harsh On Yourself?

If you’re not used to being kind and compassionate towards yourself, it can feel really strange at first. You might think that if you were nicer to yourself people would take advantage of your kindness or possibly become lazy. But this is a myth; self-compassion doesn’t make us weaker, nor does it turn us into pushovers.

People don’t take advantage of your kindness

Research shows that self-compassionate people have less anxiety and depression because they feel more in control over their thoughts and emotions as well as have a healthier sense of themselves. They also tend to be happier overall with life because they can think positively about themselves and their lives.

It’s not just about being kind, it’s about why you’re doing it

When we practice self-compassion, we become more connected with our inner wisdom and intuition . This connection allows us to live more from a place of authenticity rather than trying to please others or meet societal standards. We can then be more true to ourselves, and that’s what will make us happier in the end.

Strategies For Increasing Self-Compassion

TIPS

Self-compassion is a skill that can be learned by anyone

There are many ways we can practice self-compassion even if it feels really weird at first. One way is to try saying these statements out loud: “May I be kind to myself, just as I am” or “I’m doing the best that I can.”

It is a practice that takes time and patience but it is worth it in the long run. When we can have compassion for ourselves, it allows us to connect with our innermost feelings and helps us to live a more authentic life.

Take time for yourself

It’s tough to be kind and patient with ourselves if we don’t take the time to look after our needs. Taking a break during a busy day, going on a short walk, or spending some quiet time by yourself can help you feel refreshed and ready to continue focusing on your goals. It can also help you feel less overwhelmed and more able to handle stressful situations.

  • Start by being patient with yourself, and be gentle in your approach. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Challenge your negative thoughts about yourself

When we have negative thoughts about ourselves, it can lead to low self-esteem and unhealthy relationships. Ask yourself if your thoughts are fair or accurate. Then ask yourself how you would treat a dear friend in the same situation?

Remember that everything is constantly changing so there’s no point holding on too tightly to any of our feelings or opinions about ourselves because they could change tomorrow.

Be accepting of yourself and your feelings

One of the main components of self-compassion is being accepted of ourselves, just as we are. This includes our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences.

When we accept all aspects of ourselves, it allows us to be at peace with who we are. We don’t have to hide or change any part of ourselves. We can simply accept that this is how we are right now and move forward from there.

Create a self-compassionate mantra

A mantra is a short phrase or sentence that you say to yourself regularly to help you stay focused and positive. You can come up with your mantra, or you can use one of the following:

  • I’m doing my best.
  • This too shall pass.
  • It could be worse… I could have ___.

Be kind to your body

Doing something nice for yourself every day is a great way of increasing self-compassion. It can be as simple as taking a warm bath or enjoying a cup of tea in the afternoon when we’re feeling tired. Find something that makes you feel good and do it every day.

Talk to someone about how you’re feeling

It can be really helpful to talk to someone about how we’re feeling, especially if we’re struggling with self-compassion. It can be difficult to open up to people we know, so finding a therapist or counselor who can help us explore our feelings is a great option.

Meditation is one of the most effective ways to increase self-compassion. When we meditate, we learn to be more accepting of ourselves and our thoughts. We also learn how to let go of negative emotions and judgments.

There are many different types of meditation , so find one that works best for you and stick with it. You may want to try a guided meditation or download an app such as Headspace and Waking Up.

Talking To A Professional

QUOTE

If you feel like you’re struggling to be kind and patient with yourself, it might be helpful to talk to a professional. A therapist or counselor can help us explore our feelings and find ways to be more compassionate towards ourselves.

But you don’t have to wait for a therapist before beginning your self-compassion practice. Start today by taking some time out of your day, giving yourself the compassion that you deserve, no matter what is going on or how things are looking.

You can do this by starting with simple statements like: “I’m doing the best that I can, and it’s okay if things don’t go as planned. It doesn’t make me a bad person.”

Therapies For Increasing self Compassion

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There are many different types of therapy , so it’s important to find one that feels right for you. Some popular therapies include:

Mindfulness Meditation

One of the most popular ways to increase self-compassion is mindfulness meditation. It teaches us how to be more aware of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It can also help us practice acceptance when it comes to these experiences.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Another popular therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This helps people become more positive about themselves by changing their negative thought patterns. CBT teaches them how to identify the triggers that make them feel bad or negative about themselves. By learning to recognize these triggers, people are better able to avoid them in the future.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy ( DBT ) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It was originally developed to treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder but has since been used for many other conditions as well.

The five main components are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and self-soothing. DBT teaches us how to better understand our emotions and how to deal with them healthily.

Self-Compassion Focused Therapy (SCT)

Self- Compassion Focused Therapy (SCT) is a relatively new type of therapy that focuses on increasing self-compassion. It was developed by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff. SCT has a lot in common with other types of therapy, but it’s different because its main focus is on self-compassion.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Another type of therapy that can help increase self-compassion is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). In this form of therapy, the therapist works with parents and their children. The focus is on improving the parent-child relationship by teaching positive parenting skills. This can help increase self-compassion in both the child and the parent.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a mindfulness technique developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It’s been used to treat stress, anxiety, and physical pain for more than 40 years. In MBSR, people are taught how to live in the moment instead of worrying about what might happen tomorrow or dwelling on the past. This can help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings, which can in turn increase self-compassion.

NOTE : Self-compassion is a powerful therapy that can help people with many different issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. There are also therapies for those who want to develop more self-compassion but may feel uncomfortable talking about their feelings out loud.

Self-compassion is something that can be learned with time and effort. It takes patience, but it’s well worth it! Many studies have shown that self-compassion has many benefits for our mental health . So if you find yourself struggling with self-compassion, don’t give up. Some therapies and techniques can help you develop a more compassionate attitude towards yourself.

The Bottom Line

Self-compassion is an important skill that can help us live happier, healthier lives. It’s something that we all have the potential to develop and it’s worth taking the time to learn more about. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling with self-compassion, many different therapies and strategies can help. Be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

NOTE : Remember, it’s not what you do, but why you do it that matters most. So try your best to be compassionate towards yourself, because you deserve it!

CONCLUSION

Self-compassion is an important part of our mental health and well-being. It allows us to be kinder and more understanding towards ourselves, even when we make mistakes or experience negative emotions.

The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone! Some so many people struggle with self-compassion and we all deserve support when it comes to this issue. So be compassionate towards yourself, don’t give up, and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Things will get better.

A Word From Mantra Care

Your  mental health  — your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.

At Mantra Care, we have a team of therapists who provide affordable  online therapy  to assist you with issues such as  depression ,  anxiety ,  stress ,  relationship ,  OCD ,  LGBTQ , and  PTSD . You can take our  mental health test . You can also book a  free therapy  or download our free  Android  or  iOS app .

Mantra Care aims at providing affordable, accessible, and professional health care treatment to people across the globe.

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✍️Essay on Kindness: Samples in 100, 150 and 200 Words

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  • Updated on  
  • Nov 2, 2023

Essay on kindness

Research says that being kind to someone or vice versa can positively rewire your brain. Kindness is when one is generous to another person. Well, in today’s world, it is very difficult. We can hardly find anyone. Do you wish to bring a change in your lifestyle ? Well, you have come to the right place. Today, we will be talking about kindness in depth. Here, in this article, we have compiled several sample essays on kindness which describe this topic in depth. 

This Blog Includes:

Importance of kindness, essay on kindness in 100 words, essay on kindness in 150 words, essay on kindness in 200 words.

Kindness is an effortless yet powerful gesture which put a very positive impact on someone’s life. In the academic community, this gesture is seen as an attitude that can create a huge impact on one’s achievement. 

Speaking in a bit of a medical language, being kind to someone boosts serotonin and dopamine. These brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, are what light up your reward and pleasure centres and give you a sense of fulfilment.

This doesn’t end here. Kindness has been shown to have cardioprotective effects. It can lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn affects stress levels. 

Speaking of which, here, we have compiled an essay on kindness which will provide you with more information on this topic. Let’s dive in. 

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of the English Language for Students

Being kind is a basic virtue which is very important for humankind to create a world that is more peaceful and compassionate. It is one of the most straightforward acts which can be shown by anyone to others without expecting anything in return. When it comes to showing kindness, there are many ways by which one can show it. These include opening doors for others giving your time to support a good cause or simply being with them during their hard times. 

Always remember that even showing a tiny act of kindness can create a huge impact in someone’s life or simply make their day better. 

Also Read: Essay on Save Environment: Samples in 100, 200, 300 Words

Kindness is a feeling of being generous, friendly and considerate. In a world full of hatred and cruelty, kindness is what one can spread. You never know whom you might someone from a having bad day. One can simply start spreading kindness in the community they are living in. 

One of the best examples to describe the word kindness would be Mother Teresa . She devoted her entire life to caring for the destitute and dying in the slums of Calcutta (Kolkata). She is considered to be one of the greatest humanitarians the world has ever produced.

Speaking of kindness, doing little things such as opening a door for someone. Helping an elderly person cross the street, or holding things of someone are some basic things which can be done.

To conclude, kindness is contagious. It can spread like wildfire. Therefore, in a world where there is so much hatred, and cruelty, where people are fighting. One can be kind which will provoke others to do the same. 

Also Read: Essay on Unity in Diversity in 100 to 200 Words

Kindness is one of the most important qualities which people should have. This is very important to create a more compassionate and harmonious world. The simple act of being considerate towards others and not expecting anything in return is kindness. The word ‘kindness’ can be expressed in many different ways. From helping someone during tough times to helping an old lady cross the street is what best describes this word. 

Other than this, kindness is also beneficial for our well-being. Studies show that people who are kind to people around them tend to be more happy than others. This is because of the endorphins which are released. They contribute towards mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects. Not only this, kindness has also proved to have reduced stress levels and improved cardiovascular health.

To conclude, I would like to leave you all with a thought. In today’s times, we hardly come across kind people. Consider ourselves, we may feel for others around us going through the bad phase but how often do we reach out and assist them? It is our responsibility to nurture kindness in ourselves before we can ask others to do the same for us.

Related Articles 

We hope after reading some of these essays on kindness, your perspective on kindness would have changed. Always remember, everyone is fighting their own battles, so the best you can do is be a little kind and bring a smile to their face. Signing off!

There are certain advantages to our happiness and general well-being for those of us who are kind and caring. Perhaps we will live longer. Additionally, kindness lowers stress and enhances mental health.

These expressions describe persons who are kind, considerate, and considerate of others’ feelings.

Kindness belongs to the human virtue category and is one of the 24 universal character strengths.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay-writing page and follow Leverage Edu ! 

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Altruism Articles & More

Can helping others help you find meaning in life, new research is finding that being kind and giving to others can make our lives feel more meaningful..

The idea that helping others is part of a meaningful life has been around for thousands of years. Aristotle wrote that finding happiness and fulfillment is achieved “by loving rather than in being loved.” According to the psychologist Carol Ryff, who reviewed the writings of numerous philosophers throughout history, relationships with others are “ a central feature of a positive, well-lived life .”

Yet today many of us seem to be struggling to find meaning by gathering up achievements, spending so much time at work that we’re cut off from other people.

Are we headed down the wrong path? New research is providing more and more evidence that kind and helpful behavior causes us to feel that our lives are meaningful, and discovering what we can do to reap those benefits.

Relationships and the meaningful life

kindness towards yourself essay

Often, psychologists have distinguished between two types of well-being: hedonic well-being (a sense of happiness) and eudaimonic well-being (a sense of meaning and purpose). Although happiness and meaning overlap significantly, researchers suspected that helping others is especially crucial to developing a sense of meaning.

A recent study by Roy Baumeister at Florida State University sought to investigate this and other differences between happiness and meaning. In a survey of over 300 participants, the researchers looked for traits and behaviors that were related to happiness (but not meaningfulness) and vice versa. The researchers found that having strong social connections was important for both happiness and meaningfulness. However, helping others in need and identifying oneself as a “giver” in relationships were related to meaning alone. 

Baumeister points out that a meaningful life is different for everyone (since the cultural messages we have been exposed to can impact what we see as meaningful). However, the research on meaning in life points to one factor that appears to be important for all of us: developing high-quality relationships.

Does helping promote a sense of meaning?

But does behaving in a kind and helpful way (“prosocially”) actually cause us to feel that our lives have more meaning? While it may seem intuitive that helping others goes along with a meaningful life, it’s possible to imagine a variety of different explanations for this: Perhaps those who feel like their lives have meaning are more motivated to help others, or perhaps some other factor (for example, being religious) causes people to be helpful and experience more meaning in their life.

A recent article published in The Journal of Positive Psychology by Daryl Van Tongeren and his colleagues sought to examine this relationship. In a preliminary study, the researchers asked over 400 participants to report on how frequently they engage in different altruistic behaviors (such as volunteering) and how meaningful their life feels. Participants who were more altruistic reported a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.

More on Kindness

Practice kindness (and boost your sense of meaning in life) with these practices:

  • Random Acts of Kindness : Feel happier by doing things for others.
  • Feeling Connected : A writing exercise to foster connection and kindness.
  • Loving-Kindness Meditation : Strengthen feelings of kindness and connection toward others.
  • Reminders of Connectedness : A subtle way to induce kindness, particularly in kids.
  • Encouraging Kindness in Kids : Praise kids in ways that make them more kind.

In a second study, the researchers sought to assess whether expressing gratitude , which is considered a prosocial emotion , could actually cause participants to report a greater sense of meaning. In this study, some participants wrote letters of gratitude to someone who had impacted their lives, while some participants wrote about other topics. The researchers found that participants who wrote gratitude letters subsequently reported that their lives were more meaningful than did other participants. Importantly, this study addresses the issue of causality; since participants were randomly assigned to write about gratitude or other topics, it appears that expressing a prosocial emotion actually increased their sense of purpose.

Why does helping make life more meaningful?

According to Van Tongeren, engaging in altruistic acts may allow us to find fulfillment because it improves our relationships. To test out this idea, the researchers asked participants about their prosocial behavior, meaning in life, and level of relationship satisfaction. They found that prosocial behavior and meaning in life were linked, and that relationship satisfaction—in other words, the quality of people’s relationships—partially accounted for that link.

Another factor that might come into play is detailed in a 2010 study published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology . According to this article, when we choose to engage in prosocial actions, it helps to meet our basic psychological needs: for autonomy (feeling that we have freely chosen our actions), competence (feeling that we are good and capable), and relatedness (feeling close to others).

In one study testing this idea, participants were either allowed to choose to give money to someone else in the study, or told by the researchers how much money to give. For participants who freely chose how much to give (although not for participants who were told how much to give), giving more money was related to higher well-being and to feeling that their psychological needs were met. Importantly, that feeling accounted for the link between giving and well-being, suggesting that giving may improve well-being because it helps us meet our psychological needs.

Taken together, these two studies suggest that helping others is beneficial because it fulfills basic human needs—and that altruism may be especially important for strengthening our relationships and connecting us with others.

How to increase your sense of meaning

The research described above suggests that giving helps us feel more connected to others, which imbues our lives with a sense of meaning. Do you want to live a more meaningful life? The suggestions below can help you take the first steps.

  • Start small. You don’t need to begin with grand gestures; even small, everyday behaviors can have an impact on others and on your own sense of well-being. For example, in a study published in Science , spending just five dollars on someone else led to boosts in happiness. The Eliciting Altruism practice includes strategies for starting a habit of kindness and generosity, such as reminding yourself of your connections to others and identifying with individuals who may need your help.
  • Make your helping count. It turns out that not all types of giving have the same effects on us. The Making Giving Feel Good practice offers strategies for how to help others in a way that boosts your own sense of happiness and well-being. In particular, helping others can be especially effective when you can see the specific impact that your actions have.
  • Take time to thank others. As the research presented here has shown, expressing gratitude towards others can be a prosocial act, too. When others take time to do something nice for you, making them feel appreciated can help build your relationship with them and make your life more meaningful. This exercise offers suggestions for how to write a Gratitude Letter like the ones in Van Tongeren’s study.

Recent research has provided evidence to support the idea that helping others goes hand in hand with meaningfulness. It’s not just that people who have already found their purpose in life enjoy giving back. Instead, helping others can actually create the sense of meaning we’re seeking. Rather than ruminating on what makes our life worthwhile as we work toward burnout, we can find the answer outside ourselves, in human connection.

About the Author

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Elizabeth Hopper

Elizabeth Hopper, Ph.D. , received her Ph.D. in psychology from UC Santa Barbara and currently works as a freelance science writer specializing in psychology and mental health.

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  • Personal Growth

21 Simple Reasons to Be Kind to Yourself

  • 3 years ago
  • Read Time: 6 minutes

21 Simple Reasons to Be Kind to Yourself

We have the tendency to become our own worst enemy at times. When others make a mistake, we are quick to forgive them, but when we make a mistake what do we do?

We dwell on it and our attention immediately becomes consumed by negative thoughts. We are often kinder to others than we are to ourselves.

Why It’s Hard to Be Kind To Yourself

We are taught from a young age to be kind to others. Respect others, include others, and be polite to others as our parents would say.

Sometimes we get so caught up in being kind to others, that we forget the importance of being kind to ourselves as well.

It’s hard to forgive yourself for your own mistakes, disappointments, etc. Perhaps because we were never taught how to.

Perhaps if we learn how to shift our mindset to one of self-compassion and forgiveness, we can begin the journey of being kinder to ourselves.

How to Start Being Kind to Yourself

As I mentioned before, kindness is learned. This may require a little effort and time on our part. We can apply techniques such as self-reflection , positive affirmations, self-care practices, appreciating simple joys , and journal prompts to our daily life that can work to remind us to be kind to ourselves.

These consistent practices can have a huge impact over time as long and we stay dedicated to the process.

21 Reasons to Be Kind to Yourself

1. it helps with mental health.

A shocking fact is that approximately 43 million people will struggle with their mental health every year. Sadness and lack of self-confidence is very common.

Be kind to yourself to avoid such feelings of inadequacy. It’s most important to be kind to yourself when you feel this way. It’s hard but worth it.

2. You’ll be kinder to others

It’s easier to be kind to other people when you internalize the sentiment. When you’re kind to yourself despite making a mistake, you can project this mindset towards others.

You become a more understanding person when you allow yourself the same courtesy. Plus, it only hurts you to be upset at others without a seriously good reason.

3. Being unkind towards yourself serves no purpose

Reflecting on mistakes is different than being unkind to yourself. When you reflect on what you could have done differently, its from an emotionally stable perspective.

On the other hand, being nasty to yourself only hurts you. There are no benefits to berating yourself. Why do it?

4. People will have less power over the way you feel

When you have an arsenal of self-love , no one can take that away from you. Because you love yourself so much, you can take criticism without a blow to your emotions.

You should be kind to yourself to block emotional blows. It takes the bite away from mean words directed at you.

5. You’ll become a more positive person

A sunny disposition is another benefit of self-love. You’ll spend more time being cheery than sad. This is because you can be more optimistic about events in your life.

Bad situations become silver linings and learning opportunities. A positive spin makes everything better.

6. Your concentration will improve

An attention span is a fickle thing. You can only focus on so many things at once. Free up some mental space by being kind to yourself.

Focus on the task at hand devoid of self-hatred. Overthinking can ruin your concentration.

7. It will help you save money

Kind thoughts about yourself means less mental anguish. Less mental anguish means less visits to a therapist or psychologist.

You can use the money you saved on medical professionals on other possibilities. Treat yourself in multiple ways.

8. Being kind to yourself can make you more attractive

What does your face look like when you’re upset? A big smile? No! Your face is going to be all scrunched up with a big frown.

When you treat yourself with kindness you won’t be upset and your face will light up with the joy that everyone wants to feel.

9. You’ll be able to help others going through a rough time

If someone is beating themselves up for no reason, you can use your mindset to help them. You’ll be able to really put yourself in their situation.

They may be upset at themselves, but you’ll have an objective viewpoint. You can show them how to achieve this.

10. Sleep will come easily

No more tossing and turning for you! Be kind to yourself to avoid staying up for hours thinking about how you could have done something differently. Sleeping is so difficult when you have upsetting thoughts on your mind.

You’ll have nothing to overthink when it’s time to go to bed with a little kindness. Lose the NyQuil and regain your self-worth.

11. It can help with your physical health

Stress leads to all sorts of illnesses . Headaches and colds are just a few worth mentioning. Self-hatred undeniably causes stress.

Be kind to yourself to be sick less often. Your body will thank you for it.

12. You’ll learn more effectively

Learning a new skill is tough for most people. Picking up a skill alone is hard, but it’s impossible to pick it up if you think you’re stupid for not being an expert immediately.

You’re amazing for picking up a new skill. A challenge helps you grow! Without the right mentality, you won’t learn anything.

13. Any bad day becomes a good one with the right attitude

You’re going to have a bad day if you are mean to yourself. Stop having bad days with a little kindness. Many situations can be spun depending on your mindset.

It’s impossible to avoid every bad day. Yet, it’s bound to be better with self-love.

14. It can help you excel at your job

Being coachable is a huge asset to an employer. Taking criticism personally only detracts from doing your job efficiently. Employers want you to be able to learn from errors without internalizing it.

Be the best employee you can be with this mindset. Maybe you’ll snag a nice promotion from it.

15. You can set an example for others

This goes for children in particular. Your kids look up to you. The same goes for nieces and nephews. Show them how to grow up loving themselves by being kind to yourself.

Boost your confidence and theirs!

16. There’s a possibility you’ll live longer because of it

Research says that being happy is linked to longevity . Add some years to your life by taking away the stress of tearing yourself down.

When you indulge in self-hatred, you’re far from happy. Be kind to yourself to live life to the fullest.

17. People will like you more in general

Negative people aren’t fun to be around. You don’t want to be that guy. Most can tell if you are in a bad mood because you’re being down on yourself.

Would you want to hang around someone in a bad mood? Probably not.

18. It makes sense to treat yourself the way you’d like someone to treat you

You wouldn’t be mean to your friends, so there’s no point in being mean to yourself. Pretend you’re your best friend.

The next time you’re being unkind to yourself take a step back. Think about what your friend would tell you instead. That is the thought you should have about yourself.

19. Life is more fun with self-love

If you’re in your own head it’s tough to have a good time. Spend the mental energy on self-love to notice the change. Once you release self-conscious thoughts, you can focus on that party your at.

Beach bod worries become the best beach day ever! It’s a simple change with lasting results.

20. You’ll act without regrets

Self-hatred only holds you back in life. For one, you’ll overthink everything you do. Also, you’ll be too scared to make mistakes.

Banish both by being kind to yourself. A positive outlook lets you live life with fewer regrets.

21. It certainly couldn’t hurt to give it a try

It costs nothing to love yourself. This is doubly true on your worst days. Try changing the way you think about yourself for a day. Then try another.

Being kind to yourself is the best kind of addiction.

The Important Meaning Behind Being Kind to Yourself

In order to love others, you must start from within. And not only love, but respect and cherish your strengths and weaknesses. Embrace your mistakes and flaws.

Just as important as it is to be kind to others, it’s equally important to practice kindness towards yourself. This is the power of acceptance and growth.

Being kind to yourself promotes happiness and confidence, how you treat yourself sets the tone for how others will treat you.

What are some ways or reasons that you can start being kind to yourself? Share your thoughts in the comments below:

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One thought on “ 21 simple reasons to be kind to yourself ”.

Thank you for writing this post! I really love the ideas you have shared about why it’s important to be kind to yourself. I have always been good at being kind to others but terrible at showing kindness to myself. I am going to start being kinder to myself by taking immediate steps to improve my health by doing some exercise and by using positive affirmations on a daily basis.

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kindness towards yourself essay

The Snowball Effect

Kristin Cuthriel

Kindness: An essay written by my 15-year-old daughter

September 12, 2014 Kristin 42 Comments

kindness

“Kindness is like a spark from a match that creates a forest fire. The forest is a forest of anger, selfishness, and cruelty. Kindness can burn through all of those things.” -Keri Cuthriell

Kindness  by Keri Cuthriell
One thing people today overlook far too much is the simple yet effective act of kindness.  In this cold new world overtaken by selfishness and greed is a desperate need for those little acts of care.  Just a helping hand or a quick show of compassion can turn another person’s day completely around.
Sometimes even a friendly smile can save a life.  People often forget others and become very engrossed in their own problems.  This leads to a negative downward spiral and a chain reaction of selfishness.  A generation of selfish people is the last thing we need today. Imagine if everybody was willing to be kind and compassionate to each other.  If it was not forced, but a habit.  This would change the world.
Everyone has experienced difficult times at one time or another when things were not going well and needed an act of kindness to brighten up their day. If it wasn’t for that one person, that one act of kindness, they might not have the life they have today.  Remember how effective just the smallest act of kindness can be.  Know that you can do this for others.  In the long run, you may not be just helping one person but multiple people.  Kindness is like the spark from a match that creates a forest fire. The forest is a forest of anger, selfishness, and cruelty.  Kindness can burn through all of those things.
It’s very important for people to remember that anger is powerful.  So is selfishness along with cruelty.  However, kindness overpowers all.  You may think your kindness makes a difference for other people only, but it doesn’t.  What comes around goes around, and your act will be returned.  Your most important reward is knowing how much you just helped someone in need.  You feel satisfaction knowing that you might have saved someone’s day, week, or even life.  What you have really been given is the most precious gift you can receive, the gift of kindness. Everyone is capable of being kind.  Everyone can help.  The real question is, why don’t we? This should not be a question.  Kindness should come automatically.  It should be common rather than a rarity.  We can make this happen and do something kind today.
“No matter how small, an act of kindness never goes unnoticed.”

Keri, I love who you are. You make the world a better place. Happy Birthday!

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September 12, 2014 at 11:56 am

Kristin, you’re so lucky to have a daughter like Keri. I’m sure the way you’ve raised her had something to do with it. Hope she has a very happy birthday.

User Avatar

September 12, 2014 at 12:07 pm

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September 12, 2014 at 7:06 pm

Kristin, What an amazing daughter Keri is — from an amazing mother. Love to all of you

September 14, 2014 at 8:03 pm

Thank you! Love to all of you! I hope to see you soon! Happy late birthday.

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September 12, 2014 at 7:40 pm

A chip off the old block, it seems. Keri is so right. Kindness is such an easy thing to do, so deceivingly powerful. A smile or an unexpected kind gesture can move mountains. Happy Birthday! (I always say that birthdays are for the mommas, so that one is for you, too, Kristin.)

September 14, 2014 at 8:05 pm

Thank you! Birthdays are very special for mommas, I agree. Thank you, Shannon. I hope you and your family are doing well. Always great to hear from you!

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September 13, 2014 at 10:11 am

Keri, You’re a wise and beautiful writer. Happy Belated Birthday! Two weeks ago I stopped in Starbucks on the way to class. I was running too late to make coffee and really did not have time to stop either .. but I rushed in, stressed about getting out quickly.

Imagine my surprise when the woman in front of me bought my coffee! She said it was pay it forward day.

Her act of kindness shifted my whole energy. Suddenly, I was no longer in a rush. We chatted while we were fixing our coffees with crream. ..

I relaxed the whole rest of the drive … being late was not worth stressing.

And you are right … the path to world peace is through the inner peace of each one of us.

Thanks for sharing sich a wonderful message! We need these reminders daily.

September 14, 2014 at 8:06 pm

This is wonderful, Cindy. Thank you for the kind words and for sharing your Starbucks experience. Miss you and hope to see you soon!

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September 13, 2014 at 5:39 pm

She is remarkable, and I suspect she learned it from someone near to her heart …

September 14, 2014 at 8:07 pm

Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂

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September 15, 2014 at 1:38 am

This is great blessing. Happy birthday 🙂

September 19, 2014 at 4:18 pm

Thank you! Have a great weekend!

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September 19, 2014 at 1:18 pm

Beautiful!! You have an amazing daughter – no surprise – apple/tree! 🙂

Thank you, Karen! Have a super weekend!

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August 19, 2015 at 7:32 am

superb what a daughter

August 28, 2015 at 8:46 am

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September 14, 2015 at 1:49 am

keri , is correct ””,,,,,be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle right?…

You are so lucky that you have a daughter like keri 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

September 14, 2015 at 9:48 am

Thank you so much, Kimberly. I feel very blessed. Have a great day!

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April 14, 2016 at 8:46 pm

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January 8, 2016 at 2:41 am

October 25, 2015 at 2:07 pm

Your so lucky to have a child like that

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February 14, 2016 at 7:53 am

You are so lucky to have a such a daughter! We really need daily reminders on being kind to others. Imagine a world in which everyone was kind without being forced to, how wonderful that would be!

February 16, 2016 at 7:01 pm

That would be wonderful!

February 17, 2016 at 10:17 am

keri is a very good writer.

February 17, 2016 at 8:06 pm

March 7, 2016 at 10:20 am

Keri love you for your writing. It’s very useful to me in school.I gave a speech regarding your kindness. because of that I was selected to English club in my school.

March 7, 2016 at 5:42 pm

I am so glad you liked it! Thank you for your kind words.

March 9, 2016 at 9:33 am

it is very nice i amliking this essay i love if i would have such daughter

March 9, 2016 at 10:11 am

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April 19, 2016 at 10:38 am

nice…..

April 19, 2016 at 5:19 pm

April 20, 2016 at 10:52 pm

Its wonderful how children are turning out to be such kind people even in these hard times. Hats off to the mom for bringing her up like this.

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April 20, 2016 at 10:56 pm

Its really good to see that children are really kind even in this current selfishly busy world. Kristin, you should be a proud mom. 🙂

May 16, 2016 at 6:30 am

Thank you! 🙂

April 24, 2016 at 8:27 am

thank you, i greatly appreciate this article

June 11, 2016 at 4:32 am

Keri is not only a very amazing writer but also a wise and dashing girl

User Avatar

June 11, 2016 at 7:56 am

Thank you so much for your kind remarks! I will share them with Keri.

' src=

July 27, 2016 at 3:11 pm

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Emotion / Kindness

Acts of Kindness and My Personal Experience

Essay details

Education , Life

Pedagogy , Emotion , Experience

Homework , Kindness , Personal Experience

  • Words: 1462 (3 pages)

Acts of Kindness and my Personal Experience

Please note! This essay has been submitted by a student.

Works cited

  • Cialdini, R. B. (2007). Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Harper Business.
  • Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (Eds.). (2004). The Psychology of Gratitude. Oxford University Press.
  • Fredrickson, B. L. (2009). Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life. Three Rivers Press.
  • Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. Penguin Books.
  • Nelson, L. J., Padilla-Walker, L. M., & Fish, K. J. (2013). Prosociality and Kindness in Academic and Career Success. In K. S. Dobson & T. D. Wilson (Eds.), Positive Psychology in Higher Education (pp. 195-212). Springer.
  • Post, S. G. (2007). Altruism, Happiness, and Health: It’s Good to Be Good. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 14(4), 203-213.
  • Shapiro, S. L., & Izard, C. E. (2004). Emotion in School: Constructing a Contextualized, Intergenerational Approach to Promote Social Competence and Prevent Disruptive Behavior Problems. In M. Lewis & C. Saarni (Eds.), The Socialization of Emotion: Response to Literature (pp. 33-53). Plenum Press.
  • Toepfer, S. M., & Walker, K. (2009). Letters of Gratitude: Improving Well-Being through Expressive Writing. Journal of Writing Research, 1(3), 181-198.
  • Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2009). The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. Free Press.
  • Wiseman, R. (2019). The As If Principle: The Radically New Approach to Changing Your Life. Simon & Schuster.

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Essay On Kindness for self for each other and the Environment

Essay On Kindness for self for each other and the Environment

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Hello Friend, In this post “ Essay On Kindness for self for each other and the Environment “, We will read about the Kindness for self for each other and the Environment as an Essay in detail. So…

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It is rightly said, “You will never have a completely bad day if you show kindness at least once”. Being kind and compassionate towards others brings immense joy.

The joy of giving is much greater than that of receiving. Kindness gets us closer to God and renders inner peace.

The strength of kindness is infinite. An act of kindness actually means a selfless act performed by an individual in order to make someone happier without any compensation.

Anybody should be kind, without any reason to not be nice. It is rightly said, “If you have pity at least once, you will never have a bad day.”

Kindness For Self

It starts with self. If we are kind to ourselves only then we shall be kind to others because we realize what we feel and want to same.

Being kind towards self and respecting is like buying happiness for a lifetime.

Many types of research have proved that by loving ourselves, we are more satisfied, our eagerness towards every work also remains and positive thoughts come continuously.

Even when everything is going well. it is important to be kind to yourself.

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Kindness for each other

Being kind to others brings many benefits to our bodies and mind.

showing compassion towards others lifts their mood and brightens their day.

kindness is like a blessing to us. kindness is a behavior that spreads joy. the joy that knows no bounds, joy that is universal.

Kindness can reduce the problem of stress depression or any other anxiety that you may have because showing kindness will make people happy and seeing them happy will automatically make you happy.

Kindness for Environment

We should not only show kindness to humans, but also to the constituents of nature, environment, animals, birds even trees and plants understand the language of kindness easily. they should always be treated well.

Kindness is very good and everyone should achieve it. However, some people can benefit from your kindness and can mislead you in different ways.

So even if you are very kind, then you should have the quality of cleverness so that anyone can fool you.

Acts of kindness can help in creating a beautiful and sustainable world.

Mother Teresa has said:– we can not achieve big stuff on this planet, only little with big affection …..

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Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Ed.D.

Why Kindness Matters

Boosts to life satisfaction and physical and mental well-being..

Posted March 8, 2023 | Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

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  • Showing up kindly for others benefits both parties.
  • Kindness has the power to boost satisfaction, happiness, and physical and mental well-being.
  • Each of us has the capacity to show up kindly and make a difference in the world of another.

Kindness is about showing up in the world with compassion and acting for the greater good of all. While being nice is about being polite, pleasant, and agreeable and doing what we think we should, kindness goes a step beyond.

Kind humans know that life is hard, messy, and complex. Yet they understand that people are doing their best with the tools, resources, and experience they carry. Charles Glassman captured this by saying, “Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”

Many people view kindness as a weakness, but it's quite the opposite. It is a sign of strength. It is moving from "me" to "we," seeing the bigger picture, and loaning someone your strength and support. Supporting someone by doing whatever you can, wherever you are, with whatever you have is a sign of who you are—a kind human.

Kindness is doing the things that may go without acknowledgment and thanks. Authentic and intentional kindness doesn’t expect anything in return. We can practice kindness for kindness’ sake, not for the personal gain or the approval of others.

Kindness is a universal language that can bring people together regardless of age, race, ethnicity , religion, status, and identity . The good news is that it’s completely free too! I don’t think the saying “kindness makes the world go ‘round” came about without reason.

Benefits of Kindness

Most of us will have heard that "doing good is good for you" or "it’s better to give than to receive." It may be a surprise to learn that the research genuinely supports this. When we show up for others kindly, the benefits go both ways. Practicing kindness for the sake of kindness is one of the greatest gifts we can give to others and ourselves.

Research shows that being kind boosts the production of the feel-good hormones (serotonin and dopamine ), which give feelings of satisfaction and well-being, and activate the pleasure and reward areas in the brain of the givers and receivers. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, can also be released and contribute to a "helper’s high." Kindness also fosters our sense of belonging and helps us build and strengthen our relationships (Hamilton, 2017).

Research shows that performing acts of kindness and helping others improves the happiness of the helper (Curry et al., 2018; Hamilton, 2017). A study by Rowland and Curry (2019) found that people who performed kindness activities for seven days experienced greater happiness. The increase in happiness was true whether the social tie was a friend, family member, stranger, or themselves. As you might expect, the more kind activities one does, the greater the boost in happiness. Even just observing acts of kindness had positive effects on one’s happiness.

In his book, The Five Side Effects of Kindness , David Hamilton discusses how we experience the effects of kindness throughout our entire nervous system . He suggests that kindness is good for the heart because the warm feelings we get help to generate oxytocin , which can reduce our blood pressure and stress hormone, cortisol. He also supports the idea that kindness is contagious and how acting kindly can create a ripple effect and inspire others to do the same.

Ways to Practice Kindness

Here are some ways you can practice kindness:

  • Be kind to yourself. In my last post , I talked about how we could all use a gentle reminder about being a little kinder to ourselves. For many of us, showing up kindly starts with repairing the relationship we have with ourselves. I provided some restorative and practical ideas for how we can start to show up kindly for ourselves. When we are kinder with ourselves, we are kinder to others.
  • Practice the kindergarten basics. Manners, turn-taking, including others, and comforting that friend who fell and scraped their knee. A kind environment is the compound of many small, kind acts.
  • Show gratitude . When we feel grateful, we need to share this with others. Recognize and bring attention to what uplifts you. Tell someone they are doing a great job. End your work week by emailing someone who helped you out that week. Text or call a loved one to tell them they make a difference in your life.
  • Listen to understand, not respond or problem-solve . So often, when others are talking, we think about how we will reply or what solutions we will provide. The truth is that being present, and listening, is a form of showing the kindness that can make another feel heard, understood, and truly felt. Next time you ask someone how they are, hold space and really listen to what they have to say.

Being kind is about showing up as your true self and inviting others to come as they are, too. It is meeting yourself and others with compassion and understanding in the present moment. Each of us can be why someone believes there are good people in this world.

So, kindness might not make the world go 'round (we have momentum and gravity to thank for that), but kindness does certainly make the world a better place.

kindness towards yourself essay

Think about the power that a kind gesture, a kind hand, a kind word, or a listening ear can have on someone in a moment when they feel like their world is crumbling. Think about the way that it can make an already-good day that much better. Now think about the positive impact on the giver’s physical and mental health. The power of kindness is remarkable.

We may never know just how big of an impact our small acts of kindness have on someone else. But we know that kind humans doing kind things are exactly what this unwell world needs more of.

Although it may not be your first time hearing this one, I will leave you with this final ask:

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” —Unknown

Facebook image: Aloha Hawaii/Shutterstock

LinkedIn image: Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock

Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76 , 320-329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2018.02.014

Hamilton, D. (2017). The five side effects of kindness: This book will make you feel better, be happier & live longer . Hay House UK.

Rowland, L., & Curry, O. S. (2019). A range of kindness activities boost happiness. The Journal of Social Psychology, 159 (3), 340-343. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2018.1469461

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Ed.D.

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, Ed.D. , is a resiliency and wellness scholar and speaker, author of Calm Within the Storm , and award-winning instructor and adjunct professor at Trent University.

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    Free up some mental space by being kind to yourself. Focus on the task at hand devoid of self-hatred. Overthinking can ruin your concentration. 7. It will help you save money. Kind thoughts about yourself means less mental anguish. Less mental anguish means less visits to a therapist or psychologist.

  16. Act of Kindness Essay

    Kindness inherently makes you into a more honest, nice, and approachable person. These traits are useful in every single aspect of life, be it in a job, in the community, or just socializing. Because of all the things that were mentioned before a kind person can easily see their flaws and improve themselves further.

  17. Kindness: An essay written by my 15-year-old daughter

    In honor of my daughter's 15th birthday, I would like to repost an essay she wrote last year about kindness. Keri is one of the kindest people I know, and I am so grateful she is my daughter. "Kindness is like a spark from a match that creates a forest fire. The forest is a forest of anger, selfishness, and cruelty.

  18. What is Kindness? Free Essay Example

    Download Essay, Pages 4 (825 words) Views 1678 We live on planet Earth, alongside billions of fellow humans. It is impossible to care and be kind to everything on our planet, every country plagued with poverty, every person suffering. What is kindness really?

  19. Why Kindness Matters

    Kindness has the power to boost satisfaction, happiness, and physical and mental well-being. Each of us has the capacity to show up kindly and make a difference in the world of another. Kindness ...

  20. Acts of Kindness and My Personal Experience

    Homework, Kindness, Personal Experience. Words: 1462 (3 pages) Download. Please note! This essay has been submitted by a student. To be perfectly honest, when I received this assignment I groaned internally. It struck me as a worthless exercise in futility. I've never been one for acts of kindness. In fact, I've generally conducted my life ...

  21. Kindness Is the Most Important Personality Trait

    497 Did you know that if you perform kind acts of two minutes a day for 21 days you can actually retrain your brain to be more positive? Kindness is the most important aspect of a personality and it involves being positive, respectful, helpful & compassionate towards yourself and others.

  22. Essay On Kindness for self for each other and the Environment

    kindness is like a blessing to us. kindness is a behavior that spreads joy. the joy that knows no bounds, joy that is universal. Kindness can reduce the problem of stress depression or any other anxiety that you may have because showing kindness will make people happy and seeing them happy will automatically make you happy. Kindness for Environment

  23. Why Kindness Matters

    Everyday Resilience Resilience Why Kindness Matters Boosts to life satisfaction and physical and mental well-being. Posted March 8, 2023 | Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster Key points Showing up...