Kindness is very good for the heartDid you know that KINDNESS is very good for the HEART? Since February is heart health month and today is Valentines Day, I wanted to share how kindness affects your heart. I have written numerous posts about kindness and how when you demonstrate Acts of Kindness, it not only benefits the person that you extend the kind deed to, but it also benefits you as well. When researching information on how kindness affects your heart, I ran across the following information that I wanted to share in part, written by Dr. David R. Hamilton: “Do you know that warm feeling you get with kindness? It’s like a feeling of connection, or even rightness. Some say they get a warm feeling in the chest; others feel it emotionally. With others, it’s like a little burst of happiness that causes them to smile. Either way, that warm feeling has numerous positive consequences in the body. Some of these positive effects occur in the heart and arteries. It starts with oxytocin. Genuine kindness produces oxytocin in the body. Exciting new research shows that one of its major roles in throughout the cardiovascular system is called a ‘cardio-protective’ hormone. Cardio-protective? This basically means that it protects the cardio–vascular system (heart and arteries). It does this in two main ways: It lowers blood pressure, and it helps keep the arteries clear of certain conditions that lead to disease. More specifically, oxytocin produces nitric oxide, which dilates (widens) the arteries, thereby relieving the pressure on the heart to push blood through, thus lowering blood pressure. Secondly, it acts as both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in our arteries, thus reducing levels of harmful free radicals and inflammation, both of which are linked with cardiovascular disease. The amazing thing about this is that it is kindness that switches on this cardioprotective effect. Kindness is very good for the heart. Now actually validated by scientific research, hostility and aggression are now linked with cardiovascular disease. Genuine kindness, on the other hand, is cardioprotective. And I say ‘genuine’ for a reason. It takes the feeling of connection to produce oxytocin. We only get this feeling when kindness is genuine. If it’s not genuine, there’s no oxytocin. It’s like nature’s catch-22. You only get the benefit from kindness when your kindness is heartfelt and honest. In other words, you only benefit when you’re not trying to benefit. It’s like nature is showing us that genuine kindness is the way!” When is the last time you initiated an Act of Kindness or when is the last time you were the recipient of a kind deed? Feel free to share and post!
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Simplify your shopping for the holidays by Donna Paige Riley Tis the season to make our list, check it twice and decide who's been naughty or nice. Will you be one of the those who will shop until you drop? Here are some tips to help make your holiday gift giving less complicated: Prepare your gift list prior to shopping. Decide what you would like to purchase and how much you can spend. Write down the sizes and color you need to look for. Remember, it's not necessarily the amount you spend, but the thought that counts. Be careful not to exceed your budget, especially if you will be using credit cards. After all, you want to avoid the post- holiday blues because you discovered that you overspent when all the bills start rolling in. If avoiding crowds is a concern, try to shop during the week. Allot ample time so you can shop wisely. Parking lots will be more crowded than usual during this time of the year, so when attempting to secure a parking space, signal to claim your space. Avoid rushing into a space that someone else has been waiting for. You don't want to be caught up in any sort of parking lot rage. Be prepared to walk a little farther than usual. If you prefer to avoid the crowds altogether, remember you can shop by catalog or on the internet. However you decide to shop, have a little more patience than usual and be prepared to wait a little longer. Whether you are a shopper or the customer service representative, it is equally important to practice good manners. Being patient and helpful to each other will make the shopping experience more pleasant. Do not feel obligated to give pricey traditional gifts. With the economy the way it is, know that you have other creative options. Write a heartfelt letter of appreciation. Compose a poem and have it framed. Cook a meal. Give the genuine gift of love. Accepting gifts: Be sure to thank the giver. Be gracious even if it's not a gift that you really care for. Remember, this person took the time to think of you and shop for you. And don't forget to send a hand-written thank you note. What about unwanted gifts? If you receive a gift that doesn't fit or you really don't want, it is okay to return or exchange it. If the giver inquires about it, be honest. Do not pretend you still have it. Admit that you exchanged it for something else. Finally, do not fall prey to the commercialization of the holiday season, and by all means, remember the TRUE reason for this season. Have a blessed and wonderful holiday! |
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