Food for Thought: How will you impact someone's life today?

As coronavirus cases continue to increase in Montana many people are becoming impatient, less tolerant, unkind, and in some times rude. For the most part this is due to their overwhelming frustration, a change in their lifestyle, limiting activities they are used to doing, financial stress, high anxiety and uncertainty.

Still, this is no excuse to be unkind or inconsiderate. Now more than ever one should be practicing kindness and compassion. Becoming kinder and more compassionate can make anyone’s day who crosses your path. It is the little things that make the world a better place.

According to the latest research true happiness comes from practicing kindness. It is when we help our fellow man, when we give expecting nothing in return, when we are kind just to be kind, and when we see people as our “other selves” that life takes on purpose and meaning.

The warm feeling of well being that washes over you when you have done something kind is not just in your head. It is in you brain chemicals. Acts of kindness need to be repeated. Biochemically, you can’t live on a three minute act of kindness that comes from a single act. It needs to be incorporated into your repertoire of behavior.

Most research on the science behind why kindness makes us feel better has centered around oxytocin. Sometime called the “love hormone” oxytocin plays a role in forming social bonds and trusting other people.

It is the hormone mothers produce when they breast feed and when people are physically intimate. It is tied to making us more friendlier, while lowering our blood pressure. Studies have also linked random acts of kindness with releasing dopamine, a chemical in the brain that gives us a feeling of euphoria.

In addition, kindness can also increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood.

There are many different ways to practice kindness and compassion.

Be active when you see people in need. Notice when others are suffering and see if there is a way to help. Smile, speak a kind word. Perform a kind act. Offer to buy groceries or perform yard work for the elderly.

Even random acts like slowing down to let a car in front of you, complimenting a co-worker or calling a neighbor to check how they are doing makes the world a little better.

Performing random acts of kindness not only makes other people’s lives a little easier during these tough times; but also has a wide range of benefits including greater emotional health and well being for you.

How will you impact someone’s life today?

Dr. Leta A. Livoti Ph.D., LCSW, LCPC is a psychotherapist in Thomson Falls. She can be contacted at 827-0700.