Kwik Team

You already know kindness is good for your soul. But did you know it’s good for your brain? It turns out, being kind can actually reshape your brain.

Kindness Rewires Your Brain for Positivity

When you practice kindness, chances are you are familiar with the warm feeling that goes along with those acts. You might notice that your mood is elevated, your confidence is bolstered, or you’re motivated to do more. These effects go beyond just feeling nice.

It turns out, when you’re kind, you brain releases a plethora of neurochemicals afterwards. These include dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, all the so-called “feel good” chemicals. Combined, they elevate your mood, increase your overall sense of well-being, and activate your empathy. Being kind not just makes you feel good, it makes you want to continue being kind.

Researchers have discovered that engaging in acts of kindness can also form new neural connections by activating multiple parts of the brain. These new connections can enhance your brain’s ability to process positive emotions and regulate stress.

Kindness Creates a Ripple Effect of Happiness

Have you ever engaged in a random act of kindness? Maybe you decided to pay for the coffee of the person behind you, or showed up at a friend’s house to help with a massive chore as a surprise. Not only do you receive the brain benefits of all those feel-good neurochemicals, you also activate the same response in the recipients brain. This phenomenon is known as the “ripple effect of kindness”.

Research shows that when you’re performing kind acts, the ripple effect casts an incredibly wide net. The more you practice kindness, the more likely the people around you will do the same. And the effect continues to spread from there. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle that can build a momentum of its own. The best part is, that kindness will eventually come back to you, and you can start the cycle all over again.

Kindness Boosts Your Emotional Intelligence

It should come as no surprise that practicing kindness can actually boost your emotional intelligence, or your EQ. EQ is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions while empathizing with the feelings of others.

There are five elements to emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. And kindness helps improve them all. You have to be self-aware and have the ability to self-regulate. You’re not always going to be in a good mood, but self-aware people who can regulate themselves know that yelling at the barrista isn’t going to make them feel better. 

Kindness triggers your empathy. You start to understand how people work, which gives you insight into yourself. This helps you become in tune with unspoken cues signaling emotional needs and the corresponding feelings. This heightened emotional awareness strengthens your relationships, which motivates you and builds your confidence.

And because you have to engage with others to be kind, it improves your social skills by giving you the ability to navigate complex social situations with grace and understanding.

Putting Kindness into Action

Now that we’ve unraveled the science behind the magic of kindness, it’s time to put this superpower to work in your everyday life. Here are a few simple ways you can incorporate kindness into your routine.

Start Your Day Right: Begin your morning by sending a heartfelt message to a friend or family member. It could be a simple “Good morning!” or a genuine compliment. Watch as your day – and theirs – lights up!

Random Acts of Kindness: Challenge yourself to perform at least one random act of kindness each day. Whether it’s holding the elevator, offering a genuine smile, or leaving a positive note for a coworker, these little gestures go a long way.

Listen with Intent: When engaging in conversations, practice active listening. Put away distractions and genuinely tune in to what the other person is saying. Your undivided attention is a gift. Learn to give it abundantly and watch how you receive it in return.

Volunteer Your Time: Find a cause you’re passionate about and dedicate some time to volunteer work. Not only will you make a difference in the community, but you’ll also experience the positive effects of giving back.

Practice Self-Kindness: Remember, kindness starts with you. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you extend to others. Practice self-care, set healthy boundaries, and celebrate your achievements.

Conclusion

Kindness can rewire your brain leading to a happier, more confident you. It spreads positivity, improves the lives of those around you, and builds your emotional intelligence. It costs you nothing, but it can give you everything. The world can always use more kindness. And your brain will thank you.

For more on how kindness and gratitude rewires your brain, watch this video:

It’s no secret that becoming a parent changes your life. But did you know it also changes your brain? Parenthood is a remarkable journey that rewires your brain in fascinating ways. Understanding these changes can help provide a map for new parents, but it can also help friends and family provide the support parents need. Whether this is your first baby, you’ve been a parent for a while, or simply want to be there for a parent in your life, we have the latest brain science to help harness you with the information you need to make parenting as stress-free as possible. 

Neuroplasticity Overdrive

Your brain has the amazing ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. And when you become a parent, neuroplasticity goes into overdrive. 

Researchers found that parts of the brain responsible for caregiving and nurturing, areas like the prefrontal cortex, literally grow in size when you become a parent. It’s like your brain puts on a superhero cape to gear up to handle both the challenges and joys of parenting. 

And the best part? These changes are not only about keeping your little one safe. They’re also about tuning into their needs, emotions, and understanding the meaning behind every cry and baby babble.

Developing Your Empathy Superpower

One of the most incredible changes in your parent brain is the boost in your empathetic abilities. It’s like you suddenly gain the ability to understand your baby’s needs, both physical and emotional, from gurgles and cries. And it doesn’t stop there. After you become a parent, this empathetic shift happens in all areas of your life.

Research shows that the brain’s mirror neuron system—the one responsible for recognizing and then mirroring emotions in others—gets a major upgrade when you become a parent. This means you might find yourself tearing up during heartwarming commercials or feel a stab of understanding when you see a fellow parent struggle at the grocery store. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and the empathetic response supports this by helping you establish support and compassion.

Upgrade Your Multitasking Skills

Some days, multitasking feels like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. Part of that is because there is no such thing as multitasking, only task-switching. But the part of your brain that handles complex tasks, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,  becomes more active and efficient as a parent.

This rewiring of your brain means you become far more adept at juggling tasks, priorities, and all that baby gear without breaking a sweat (okay, maybe just a little bit of sweat). Your brain knows life gets a little harder with a newborn, and you have to be able to respond to their needs quickly and effectively. You can use this bump in flexibility to effortlessly switch between comforting a crying baby, whipping up dinner, and replying to that work email you almost forgot about. 

Turning Stress into Success: 3 Kwik Tips for New Parents

Now that you know how your brain adapts to handle this incredible journey of parenthood, let’s talk about how you can use these changes to your advantage and keep your stress minimized.

1. Embrace Mindfulness: Your enhanced empathy and neuroplasticity can make you more in tune with your own emotions. Take advantage of this by practicing mindfulness. When things get chaotic, take a few deep breaths and ground yourself in the present moment. This can help you stay calm and centered amidst the whirlwind of parenting.

2. Delegate and Connect: Your multitasking capable brain might make you think you can do it all, but remember that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Delegate tasks to your partner, family, or friends. Building a support network not only eases your load but also your body and brain the time and space it needs to rest and recover in the between the hectic moments of parenthood.

3. Prioritize Self-Care: Your newfound superpowers shouldn’t come at the expense of your well-being. Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s a quick workout, a chapter of a book, or a soothing cup of tea, these moments recharge your brain and help you navigate the parenting adventure with grace.

Supporting the Superparents in Your Life

If you’re not the one in the baby booties but you’re cheering on a friend or family member who is, here are some ways you can be the ultimate sidekick:

Offer a Listening Ear – Sometimes, the most powerful support is simply being there to listen. Let the new parent share their experiences, frustrations, and triumphs. Your empathetic presence can do wonders.

Be a Helper – Offer concrete help. Everything from babysitting for an hour to bringing over a warm meal can be a lifesaver. Every little bit counts in the whirlwind of parenting.

Celebrate Small Wins – Parenting is a rollercoaster, and celebrating even the tiniest victory can make a huge difference. A congratulatory text or a small treat will help not just boost their spirits, but let them know they’re not alone.

If you want to learn more about these incredible changes, be sure to watch this episode: