You might be tempted to think that “Kindness” is just a social skill, something we are taught as a child along with “Please” and “Thank You” but new scientific studies suggest that kindness is in fact hard wired into us.

This kindness gene is evident in children as young as 18months old who show strong tendencies to help others. At the age of two children tend to rather be given a sweetie to a friend as well as themselves.

It has been scientifically proven that kindness changes the brain, impacts the heart and our immune system and may even be an antidote to depression.

When we think of kindness we tend to think its a kindness to others but being kind to yourself is just as important and one that we seldom practice.

Self kindness is learning to be gentle and understanding of ourselves and to stop being so harsh and judgmental and learning to treat ourselves just as we would a close friend or loved one. We are our biggest critics and such negative thoughts like “Whats wrong with me” have a huge detrimental effect on our health and wellbeing.

Learning to be kind to yourself gives you a greater ability to show kindness to others so when you start giving yourself a hard time over something just STOP and consider if it was a friend what words of kindness and support would you give them?

Make today a day that is full of “Kindness”. Even the smallest gesture to ourselves and others makes such a difference to our lives.