How Kindness Affects Your Mental Health - COPE

How Kindness Affects Your Mental Health

Kindness is the universal thread that binds us globally. It speaks every language. It’s the essential bridge that helps mend the divides we see too often today. World Kindness Day, observed each year on November 13th, is a great time to reflect upon the power of kindness.

Positive Power of Self-Compassion

          Kindness and compassion are a two-way street. We share compassion with others in our lives and, in return, that makes us feel good. There’s so much power in sharing positivity.

However, during the season of giving, it’s important that we don’t forget to give compassion, kindness, and forgiveness to ourselves. In fact, a recent study by the American Diabetes Association shows just how beneficial kindness and self-compassion can be for our mental wellness and mood.

The study tested the effects of a standardized 8-week mindful self-compassion (MSC) program and found that kindness does matter, especially to one’s self. The MSC training increased self-compassion and produced significant reductions in depression and diabetes distress in one group.

Letting Go of Self-Criticism

          It’s true that self-criticism can help build responsibility, honesty, and personal growth, but too much self-criticism can impair our happiness. When you are kind to yourself, you are forgiving. You learn to accept your flaws.

Self-compassion encourages positive growth. It also helps build your mental resilience. Once you learn to forgive and accept your own flaws, you’ll be able to better process negative experiences in life. Learning to be kinder to yourself can have a big impact on your health and happiness.

Unfortunately, those suffering from common mental illnesses like Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, and OCD can struggle to find happiness through self-compassion and kindness.

These illnesses are real medical conditions and should be treated as such. Our COPE supported centers in New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, St. Louis, Houston, and Philadelphia are passionate about providing cutting-edge solutions.

IV Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato) is an innovative medication that has been successful in treating common illnesses when traditional treatments fail. If you or a loved one suffers from a treatment-resistant mental illness, we encourage you to reach out to a COPE supported center near you.