This time of year is tough. Midway through January means that many in the United States are months into a cold winter that doesn't provide them the sunlight or outdoor time that our bodies need for energy or mood boosts. Even the southernmost states are feeling the cold this week, with a rare winter storm disrupting their otherwise mild winter months. While we have no solution to skip to a lush, green summer and warmth, we can offer another way to make this darker season feel a bit warmer, on the inside at least.
Kindness to others and ourselves is a powerful antidote to the heaviness that this season can bring. It’s mostly found in the simplest gestures, too. Maybe it’s texting a friend to check in, offering a sincere compliment, or being patient in a frustrating moment. It can even be as simple as the tone of our voice. Think about how we can detect warmth, sincerity, and empathy in someone’s voice. Especially in the workplace, where efficiency and deadlines often take center stage, kindness in tone can cut through that stress to build trust and create a more supportive environment.
Let's remember to extend our kindness inward as well. We all get caught up in the pressures of productivity and self-criticism at times, and it can be tough to hit the shut-off button to relax. But taking time to rest and recharge is just as important as all of the things on our to-do lists. The kindness and care that we show to ourselves enable us to show up better for the people in our lives. Many people find it easier to show kindness to others than to themselves, so here is an article to help with that. As with everything else, it gets easier with practice.
Research shows that practicing kindness can boost our mental health, reduce stress, and even improve physical health. It’s a win-win: when we lift others up, we lift ourselves up too. The ripple effect of kindness creates an upward spiral that encourages us all to be our best selves.
Yet, because life is so busy, we often overlook opportunities for intentional kindness in our work and daily lives. When we lose sight of how our tone and words affect others, we miss out on the connection and sense of belonging that kindness fosters.
So, while kindness is simple, it’s not always easy. It requires mindfulness and intention, especially when tensions are high. But it’s also a reminder that, even in the darkest and coldest of seasons, we have the power to be a source of light and warmth for one another.
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