Resilience (or resiliency) is our ability to adapt and bounce back when things do not go as planned. However, resilience is not only about traumatic moments in your life; it is also about dealing with the daily hassles and stressors.
Research shows that learning new skills – and practicing those skills – can increase resilience. In particular, focusing on positive coping skills and self-regulation can build our resilience. Random acts of kindness are just one tool that can be utilized.
The feeling you experience when you practice kindness is more than just a feeling. When you do something kind for someone else, your brain releases oxytocin. In turn, oxytocin leads to an increase in self-esteem/confidence, energy, happiness, and positivity. Oxytocin also helps calm our nervous system and regulate stress responses.
Random Acts of Kindness Day, February 17, 2022, promotes completing at least one random act of kindness. Not only will you feel the benefits, but so will the other person!
Do you need some ideas for random acts of kindness? Here are a few:
- Do a favor without asking for anything in return.
- Let someone go in front of you in line.
- Give a stranger a compliment.
- Pay for someone’s meal.
- Hold the elevator for someone.
- Give someone a gift card.
- Leave your waiter a generous tip.
- Write a thank-you note.
- Smile at someone.
- Be kind to yourself!
Remember, no act of kindness is too small!
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Are you interested in learning how to be more resilient? Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council offers the Georgia Resiliency Program to reinforce resiliency skills. According to POST, using resiliency skills can lead to positive outcomes such as:
- Stronger work performance and better overall health.
- Balanced thinking that supports enhanced creativity, improved academics and sound decision-making.
- Lower blood pressure, better sleep, proper immune functioning, and a longer life span.
- More adaptive to change or unplanned events.
- Improved interpersonal an intrapersonal communication that prompts healthier teams – at work, at home, and in the community they serve.