Dear Friend, we've crafted a 5-day #JoyChallenge to help you and us experience lasting joy. Every day for the next two days, you'll do a new challenge.
It's a perfect way to ease into the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge that we created to help you experience joy in your everyday life.
Wellness experts agree that practicing acts of kindness is an excellent way to generate joy.
Day 3: Kindness
Being kind to others increases dopamine in the brain, for both the giver and receiver.
Extending compassion and empathy to others can improve your mood because it takes your attention off your troubles and creates a feeling of interconnectedness. Performing acts of kindness for others causes our brains to reward by releasing the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine.
Studies show that both givers and receivers of kindness feel more optimistic afterward, and these effects can be long-lasting.
Today's challenge:
Challenge yourself to do three acts of kindness for someone else. These can be as simple or as complex as you wish. Maybe yesterday's Gratitude Challenge has inspired you to spread the love by telling others how grateful you are for their presence in your life. Here are some ideas on how to spread kindness:
- Smile more. Even a forced smile triggers the release of endorphins in your body. A Swedish study reported that when people looked at other smiling individuals, their facial muscles involuntarily twitched into smiles.
- Give compliments. A simple compliment can elevate someone's mood tremendously. Researchers from the National Institute for Physiological Sciences in Japan found that the brain's striatum region is activated when a person receives a compliment. It's the same area that lights up as when we receive money.
- Volunteer. Volunteering contributes to increasing one's sense of well-being, lowering depression, reducing blood pressure, and extending your life expectancy. There is always something that you can offer and organizations and people that will appreciate your contributions. How about cleaning out your closet and making a donation to your nearest charity thrift store? You could also offer your skills, time, or financial resources to an organization whose mission aligns with your values.
- Reach out in small ways. Life is busy, and we get it. However, it doesn't take much time to write a kind note, send a short message, wish your friend a happy birthday, or let someone know that you're thinking about them. Frequently doing small acts of kindness will regularly boost your mood as well as that of others.
- Think big. You might begin doing acts of kindness within your community, but you may soon find yourself desiring to make a more significant contribution to the world. There are infinite ways to do this, and there is no limit to what your kindness can do.
Sole Toscana Skincare #joychallenge
Monday. Practice mindfulness—focus on the present moment and away from stressful thoughts.
Tuesday. Gratitude—appreciate what you have as often as you can, and watch how negativity disappears.
Wednesday. Kindness—being kind to others increases dopamine in the brain, for both the giver and receiver.
Thursday. No Complaining—turn your attention to solutions instead of problems.
Friday. Laughter is the best medicine because it floods your brain and body with mood-boosting serotonin.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
