When someone is kind to you, you typically feel happy, valued, safe, and more optimistic, experiencing a boost in well-being as your brain releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, fostering deeper trust and connection. However, for some, especially those with past negative experiences, genuine kindness can initially feel uncomfortable or suspicious, leading to awkwardness or a desire to keep distance.
When someone shows you kindness you feel loved and cared for, thankful and grateful to that person. When you show others kindness you feel a sense of peace, accomplishment, satisfaction......
Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a hormone directly correlated with stress levels. People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer.
To be honest , I feel happy inside when someone treated me with respect and kindness . I feel to imagine that my self esteem and confidence is bouyed up. There is a certain glowing gladness that suddenly appeared in the center of my body . It lifted my spirits .
This rush of dopamine gives us a natural “helper's high,” making us feel happier and more fulfilled. Additionally, kindness is linked to the release of oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone.” Oxytocin is associated with bonding and trust, and its release makes us feel more connected to others.
It seems that one of the tell-tale signs that someone is being genuinely kind is when they do something for someone who can't do anything for them. It's truly a selfless act, and not transactional.
Most people grew up with the old adage: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Best known as the “golden rule”, it simply means you should treat others as you'd like to be treated.
The 5 Side-Effects of Kindness
As soon as someone pays you a compliment, you might feel judged and self-conscious. For instance, if you meet up with friends and one of them pays you a compliment about your outfit, you might feel an uncomfortable sense of being in the spotlight.
Here are the signs you're more respected than you think:
Showing kindness is known to help us build social bonds, increase trust and acceptance in our relationships, and increase our overall happiness(1-3). The really amazing thing about kindness is that the more kindness you give, the more you get in return.
50 random acts of kindness you can do today
Kindness, or doing good, often means putting other people's needs before our own. It could be by giving up our seat on a bus to someone who might need it more, or offering to make a cup of tea for someone at work. Evidence shows that helping others can also benefit our own mental health and wellbeing.
For the person appreciating: It creates a sense of happiness and strengthens empathy. For the person appreciated: It boosts their confidence, motivation, and sense of being valued.
Everyday simple acts of kindness can contribute to boosting your mood, reducing stress, and possibly alleviating symptoms of depression or anxiety. In addition, what might seem like a small kind gesture could have a greater impact than you might think.
Kind people are caring.
They realize that life does not center around themselves. Instead, they celebrate the joys and sympathize with the sorrows of those around them. They ask genuine and reflective questions – and they are great conversationalists – because of their genuine love for others.
When someone compliments you as a person, it means they see the real you - the you that is more than just skin deep. They see how kind and caring you are, and how much joy you bring into their life. These are the kinds of compliments that really make you feel good about yourself. These hit deep.
Genuine compliments come from a place of sincerity and are usually specific, relevant to the context and reflect an understanding of who you are as an individual. On the other hand, fake compliments often feel generic, forced or overly enthusiastic.
"Thank you, I've been working on that."
This response is particularly effective when someone compliments a skill or improvement. It shows humility and an acknowledgment of your growth.
10 traits of good-hearted people
Watch Out for These 10 Phrases: Classic Signs of Fake Kindness
Tell them how much you appreciate them (or at least one thing about them you appreciate). Treat them to their favorite coffee. Say 'I love you' with meaning. Tell them how wonderful they are and how happy you are to have them in your life.
24+ Simple Acts of Kindness Examples
One analysis of the research identified the four types below (Curry et al., 2018).