We are living through challenging times. Of this there is no doubt and through all our differences this is one thing I think we would all agree on.
But how do we cope with the things that life is showing us at this time?
A world in the midst of a pandemic; once thriving towns now little more than ghost towns; more and more small independent businesses collapsing and failing before our very eyes; people living in increasingly tough circumstances as they find themselves without jobs, or a way to provide for their families. And perhaps the very worst of it all is the separation from those we love the most in our lives. On top of all of this the world seems fraught with political division, and friends and families are being torn apart by their own strong feelings.
We are not being shown a very pretty picture at all. And as much as we know we should try to shift our focus away from all of this and try to see positivity among the madness, it’s a challenge that is hard to combat, for all but the strongest mindset.
But there is a way, to rise above the chaotic arena of the world´s stage, feel better within ourselves, and the best bit, is that this practice will also have a profound effect on your immune health – exactly what we all need in the face of a pandemic!
It is very simply put, just being kind! That’s right, a simple act of kindness can improve your immune health!
In a controlled study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology in July 2017 researchers studied a group of 159 adults for 4 weeks who were engaged in pro-social behavior. The participants were either engaged in acts of kindness towards other people, the world in general, themselves or a self controlled task. The researchers examined the changes in the leucocyte gene expression profile known as the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA). In the group that engaged in pro-social behavior towards others the researchers noted a direct positive impact on the expression of the immune-protective gene. The other groups showed no change in the gene.
This incredible finding shows us that being kind towards other people, not only improves their experience of the world in which we live, but boosts our own immune system at the same time! Isn’t that something to celebrate?
So next time you extend the hand of kindness to someone you meet, or someone you know, remember that while you are busy helping them, your immune-protective genes are getting a great boost too!
The time to raise our consciousness, and make this world a better place for our children and our future generations, is now.
Together we can change the world, into the beautiful place we know in our hearts it truly is. We can heal the world of all its ills, one kind act at a time.
Be Kind
Reference: Nelson-Coffey SK, Fritz MM et al. Kindness in the blood: A randomised controlled trial of the gene regulatory impact of prosocial behaviour. Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 81, July 2017, pages 8-13.
LORRAINE EREIRA 
Another great and relevant piece. I always felt the 10 commandments, such as they have been translated, we a complete waste of words. Two, would have done the trick in my mind. ‘Be kind.’ Or, ‘Be nice.’
Either would have covered the situation and saved on stone carvings!!
Fantastic that doing so, also is beneficial to the immune system and I suspect is also beneficial to mental well-being.
I’d add one more thing. ‘Pay it forward.’ When someone has done something nice for you, go and make the effort to do the same for someone else.
‘Be kind and Pay it Forward’
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