The impact of kindness in daily life leaves a great impact on others and your own well-being. According to scientific studies, kindness is a cause for optimism even in pessimistic times. The effect of kindness may be even more prevalent than what you may initially see.

A study done by the Psychological Bulletin consisted of 201 independent research efforts that were made up of 198,213 participants. The result of the meta-analysis was that kindness contributes to different aspects of wellbeing, and it is found to be more common in daily life. At times, however, we may not be able to identify kindness as easily, because it is being overshadowed by current events surrounding us. For example, the looming pandemic and negative connotations of social media are factors that affect our perspective on how and where we see kindness in our lives.

Despite the negativity, kindness is all around us every single day. Simple acts of kindness are seen in the acts of the people around us. Kindness can also be seen in colleges, corporations, and even on the streets. Often these acts restore people’s faith in humanity and offer a fresh look at simple ways we can make someone’s day.

As found in the meta-analysis, embracing kindness in daily life begins with tuning in and helping others spontaneously, which means helping others on unplanned occasions. As a result, situations like these helped boost people’s sense of purpose and contribution to the community.

Empathy towards others is another step towards embracing kindness. Empathy is the ability to be able to take another person’s perspective and share similar emotions to what they are going through. Therefore, by taking the step to be in someone else’s shoes, you may have an idea of how you may be able to help them with what they need most.

Thinking small may sound simple, but we tend to focus on the bigger picture for us to consider an act of kindness to matter, however, quick exchanges are considered to be the most important and impactful acts of kindness. Examples of these exchanges range from paying for someone’s food or drink order to helping cover for someone’s shift or even just smiling at others on the street.

Embracing kindness also comes with being humble. When performing an act of kindness it is important to not perform it from a place of superiority. Disaster always has opportunities for embracing kindness by being humble. Acts induced by a disaster must involve everyone pitching in and those in need receiving help. Kindness without conditions can be the best form of performing kindness.

Kindness involves embracing the good and leading with kindness. Embracing the good comes with finding the kindness around you and expanding upon it. Leadership can help with expanding kindness. This can be done through individual action or by organizing a group to initiate action on kindness. With leadership comes a well-organized initiative that invites many to contribute.