Discover how daily acts of kindness boost happiness, reduce stress, and transform your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
- Start with Yourself — The Foundational Act of Kindness
- Speak to Yourself Like a Friend — Replace Harsh Self-Talk with Compassion
- The Science Behind Kindness — The Biology of Giving (Oxytocin & Dopamine)
- Let Go of Comparison and Judgment — Practice Acceptance to Soften the Nervous System
- Create Simple Kindness Rituals — Establish Compassion as a Daily Habit
- Spread Kindness Around You — The Multiplier Effect of Giving
- Let Kindness Be Your Strength — Kindness is Quiet Strength, Not Weakness.
I love attending masterclasses, free ones! It fascinates me how people have changed their lifestyles and livelihoods post COVID-19. My most recent one was on journaling. All these healing and wellness practices give me more food for thought on self-care. I feel it’s important to be kind to yourself on a daily basis, besides being healthy and wealthy.
If you’ve come across Dhar Mann videos on Facebook, then you would be familiar with the ‘Pay it Forward’ principle. In Indian philosophy, we call it karma where what goes around, comes around. So, kindness to yourself is a treat and when that treat flows in the universe, you get kindness in return.
We are all mirrors: everything around us is a reflection of our thoughts, karma, likes and dislikes. So, being kind to yourself is an important part of recognising the mirror that is joyful, prosperous and abundant.
Here’s how I treat myself kindly on a daily basis:
Start with Yourself — The Foundational Act of Kindness
Wellness begins with how you treat yourself. Being kind to yourself is not selfish, it’s self-preservation. Speak gently to your mind, rest when you’re tired, and stop punishing yourself for old mistakes. When you wake up, gently pat yourself for living another new day with freshness and light.
Try this: Each morning, repeat: “I am learning, I am healing, I am enough.” And my way is to get enough rest, pamper myself with some good reading, oil my hair, 15 minutes of comedy shows, and go for solo Nature walks.
Speak to Yourself Like a Friend — Replace Harsh Self-Talk with Compassion
Most of us are our own worst critics. But self-criticism drains energy and confidence. Replace harsh inner talk with kindness and understanding. When you treat yourself like a friend, you cultivate self-trust, the root of emotional wellness.
Try this: Write a short note to yourself with words of encouragement. I normally tell myself that ‘you and I’ are together for this lifetime, let’s love each other before we start looking for love outside.
The Science Behind Kindness — The Biology of Giving (Oxytocin & Dopamine)
Kindness isn’t just a moral choice; it’s biological medicine. Acts of kindness release oxytocin (the “love hormone”), reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), and increase dopamine, your natural mood booster.
Even small gestures, like smiling at someone, helping a stranger, lower blood pressure and improve mental health.
Try this: Do one quiet act of kindness daily without telling anyone. Notice how your mood shifts. Boasting about your good deeds on social media isn’t being kind, it’s about validation, You don’t identify with the joy of giving anonymously. Have you ever heard someone bless a Samaritan who doesn’t rub the kindness in the face? Their humbleness generates more kindness.
Let Go of Comparison and Judgment — Practice Acceptance to Soften the Nervous System
Constant comparison breeds anxiety. The moment you stop judging yourself, you create space for peace. Self-acceptance allows your nervous system to relax, and that calm becomes a powerful form of wellness.
Try this: When self-doubt arises, say: “I’m still becoming, and that’s okay.” I meditate to find my balance during all confusing situations.
Create Simple Kindness Rituals — Establish Compassion as a Daily Habit
Small rituals done consistently create emotional stability and a sense of purpose.
Try this: Choose three simple rituals, such as beginning your morning in silence, writing down one thing you appreciate about yourself, and thanking someone who made your day better.
Bonus tip: Keep a “kindness jar.” Write down moments that made you smile and read them when you feel low. I have yet to make this one, but I do listen to bird songs in the morning for they make me feel alive.
Spread Kindness Around You — The Multiplier Effect of Giving
Kindness is contagious. Whether it’s checking in on a friend, complimenting a colleague, or helping someone online, your actions ripple out and uplift others.
Try this: Send one message of appreciation every week to family, friends, or even someone who inspired you. My struggle with my temper has come down, most of the times I do manage to keep my silence and tell my siblings and mother how much I appreciate having them around.
Let Kindness Be Your Strength — Kindness is Quiet Strength, Not Weakness.
In a world that rewards speed and productivity, kindness is quiet power. It makes you resilient, compassionate, and deeply human. When you lead with empathy, you don’t just change your mood; you change your world.
Remember: Being kind costs nothing but changes everything.
Reflection Prompt
What’s one kind thing I can do for myself today and one for someone else?
This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025.
This post is a part of ‘Real and Rhythm Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters blog hop series.
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Queen of Treasures 
Totally agree with you. Kindness, being good to others, does bring much reward to ourselves. People fail to understand that. Religions fail to teach that.
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Religions are devoted to idols and outward practices, values and emotions are inborn. 😛
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I am enough. That statement is like my mantra. I keep repeating it to myself all the time. Also love how you have said, start with yourself. We forget that too often.
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What we can do, will reflect 🤩
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It’s such a beautiful, thoughtful and insightful article. We really need to learn to be kind to ourselves. And to others too because, yes, it costs nothing.
I am not on Facebook anymore but I’ve seen Dhar Mann’s ‘pay it forward’ videos. They’re really nice.
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I believe Kindness isn’t just something we do for others but something that genuinely heals us from the inside out. The part where you say “Start with yourself” really resonated as so many of us forget that self-kindness is the foundation for everything or I must say most of the things. I also appreciated the science bit about oxytocin and dopamine – it adds that “okay yeah, this matters” layer to what sometimes seems too airy-fairy.
#RealandRhythmBlogHop
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Kindness is underrated and I really wish more people try being kind and read this blog as it is important and yes the highlight start from yourself is really powerful!
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Yeah sometimes people try to do good things to feel good but they are not really kind to the people around them. To the people who serve them or care for them. Good blog.
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I thank you for writing this post to remind us how important it is to be kind to oneself.
These tips are tricks are simple and yet so important.
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Great ideas. Simple yet profound. Kindness works wonders, for the giver as well as the receiver. Let us all begin with being kind to ourselves!
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Ambica, I always admire and love your blog posts bcz each of them is well researched, well written and well presented. In this post what I love most was to know about the science of kindness. This is something new to me. Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog post with us.
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Your remarks seem to be a kind reminder that we all need but seldom give to ourselves. I adore the way you combine wellness, wisdom, and easy daily routines.
The notion that the first sign of a happy life is self-kindness truly stuck with me. Reading, oiling one’s hair, taking walks in the outdoors, and listening to birdsong are some of your examples that add a touch of the past that is reassuring.
A lovely, contemplative read.
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This was such a gentle and powerful reminder. Your list of how kindness enriches not just others, but ourselves — through acceptance, connection, and inner peace — resonated deeply. Thank you for writing this and inspiring me to be kinder, both inwardly and outwardly.
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Thank you for the appreciation
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This is beautiful. Being kind is the nicest and most noblest thing you can ever do or be, and doesn’t even cost anything, it’s free. Love all the tips shared by you and I do most of them, barring the kindness jar.
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I have to add a jar as well.
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The tips you have shared are all so useful to live a good, empathetic life. Being kind to oneself and others can go a long way in making life one of harmony and joy. Listening to birdsong is truly therapeutic. I have tried it and it works like a magic spell. Thank you for this lovely post.
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I can listen to bird songs the day through, it’s so uplifting.
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Your post is a reminder that self love is essential and we often forget that. Tending and appreciating our own self is so important. I am going to make notes of few of the above points for my own self.
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All the best, have a good time ahead.
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Charity begins at home. Being kind to our own is the most important thing. But sometimes even our own take it for granted. We need to be kind to ourselves first.
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True, everything begins from inside.
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My high school teacher often said, “If you don’t respect yourself, others won’t either.” Only later did I realize that self-respect is really just the beginning of kindness to ourselves and to others. Your post truly reflects that.
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Well said. They are interlaced. In fact self love begins with being gentle with yourself.
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The first step of healing and happiness is kindness to oneself. Really liked your post.
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Your words resonated with me a lot. I see only rewards for being kind.The only thing that stops us from being kind to someone is our ego and self centeredness.
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Well said.
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An insightful piece this is. Helpful in many ways. Kindness heals, it makes world a better place to live in.
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I love how you have included the actions with a little tip. The actions are simple and pracrical and can be included in daily life seamlessly. I too believe whatever we do, we receive manifolds from the the Universe!
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So warm and delight to read all the self-healing ideas. All looked simple but powerful when we implement all those in our daily life. Thanks for the tips.
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I like the suggestion for each point. All doable, except journaling, which I keep failing at repeatedly. The kindness jar is a great idea; I had written a post about it myself. I think I must try this one out.
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I feel the jar should be a collectible like the piggy bank. I’ve started that too.
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Isn’t it a sad state of affairs that we now need to teach and remind each other to ‘be kind’ something that should be an inherent humane attribute. But yeah, I guess everyone needs this reminder in a world that’s becoming increasingly cruel and materialistic and your guide here is as simple and easy to follow as it can get.
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We have to pause and remind ourselves of our real self.. at least that’s been my experience. Step back and start loving yourself again 😁 you are more valuable than your phone😄
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These are such wonderful and practical tips. Like charity, kindness should begin at home and kickoff with self. I have a habit of talking to myself, egging myself on when I’m tired or demotivated. It helps.
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Yup, be your BFF.
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Thank you Ambica Ji. This was a much needed booster post. I am lucky to have come across this one at the right time.
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All the best. Glad to know this was helpful.
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oh what a wonderful world it would have been if we wwere all born with kindness and not a moral choice. being kind to others has had a chemical reaction most definitely on me.
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