Learning to practice empathy on a day-to-day basis is not as easy as it may sound. Often times, people are so consumed in their own lives, whether it involves stress surrounding work, family, or relationship. It is so easy to unintentionally become disconnected from the people around you, while focusing on your own problems at hand.
Scientific studies have tested and confirmed that practicing kindness not only boost the morale of the person receiving the compliment, but also have positive effects on the giver of the kind act. Even the action of witnessing an act of kindness has the ability to increase levels of the “love hormone” Oxytocin, which in turn has the benefits of lowering blood pressure and improving heart health (New York Times).
With this being said, I challenge you all to try to partake in an act of random kindness at some point this month. It does not matter how big or how small. Start by thinking of someone that you would like to cheer up. Or better yet, pick someone you don’t know and surprise them with an act of kindness. It does not matter how big or small the action may be. What matters is that in doing so, you are practicing the act of empathizing with another, a skill that is so important when striving to maintain a state of wellness.
AMSA Wellness committee member, Arjun Singh, shared one of his favorite quotes by Aesop: “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” Surely, this is the idea that we are trying to promote throughout this whole campaign. Try it out and let us know how it went! Take this as a reminder to both be kinder to yourself and to the loved ones around you. Practicing empathy on a daily basis will also allow you to be more energized and happier in the long-run.
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/science/24angier.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
