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How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
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Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today I'm going to talk about what kindness does to your brain. So we've probably all witnessed how acts of kindness can spread and multiply. Right now, people are using the phrase, the kindness contagion to describe the wave of kindness that's been spreading throughout the world in the midst of these very difficult times that we're in. And it's true.
Kindness is contagious. Witnessing acts of kindness makes us more likely to do the same for others. And in fact, when we witness an act of kindness, our body and mind seem to interpret what we're seeing as if we're actually experiencing it ourselves. Now, when it comes to us giving kindness, doing kindness, kindness has been shown to increase our self-esteem as well as improving empathy and compassion. It's been shown to improve mood and decrease the stress hormone cortisol, thereby reducing stress levels.
And kindness, of course, tends to increase our sense of connection with others, which reduces loneliness and depression. Physiologically, kindness can lead to very real changes in the brain and the body. Kindness lowers our blood pressure. It boosts our serotonin and dopamine, the feel good hormones that give you a sense of contentment and wellbeing. And endorphins, which are your body's natural painkillers also can be released.
These are some of the reasons why the research shows that people who practice kindness regularly tend to be healthier and live longer. So looking for ways to show kindness can give your life a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection. Through doing it, we're also building better selves and better communities at the same time. So Greek storyteller Aesop once said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted. So today, and for the rest of this week, I invite you to try this little challenge.
See if you can do one small kind thing each day for someone in your life and then be attentive to the effect it has on you. Does it brighten your mood? Do you feel more connected to others? Does it give your life a sense of meaning? So it's a beautiful thing to see that being kind to others is actually a kindness to ourselves. The more love and compassion we direct towards others, the more joy we end up giving to ourselves. As James Matthew Barry once said, "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." So in today's meditation, we'll continue to cultivate kindness within ourselves. So I invite you to settle in for that.
And as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us.
What Kindness Does to Your Brain
Personalized support for learning how to integrate mindfulness into your life. Delivered fresh everyday by our world renowned experts. Choose meditation duration:
Duration
Your default time is based on your progress and is changed automatically as you practice.
Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness. Today I'm going to talk about what kindness does to your brain. So we've probably all witnessed how acts of kindness can spread and multiply. Right now, people are using the phrase, the kindness contagion to describe the wave of kindness that's been spreading throughout the world in the midst of these very difficult times that we're in. And it's true.
Kindness is contagious. Witnessing acts of kindness makes us more likely to do the same for others. And in fact, when we witness an act of kindness, our body and mind seem to interpret what we're seeing as if we're actually experiencing it ourselves. Now, when it comes to us giving kindness, doing kindness, kindness has been shown to increase our self-esteem as well as improving empathy and compassion. It's been shown to improve mood and decrease the stress hormone cortisol, thereby reducing stress levels.
And kindness, of course, tends to increase our sense of connection with others, which reduces loneliness and depression. Physiologically, kindness can lead to very real changes in the brain and the body. Kindness lowers our blood pressure. It boosts our serotonin and dopamine, the feel good hormones that give you a sense of contentment and wellbeing. And endorphins, which are your body's natural painkillers also can be released.
These are some of the reasons why the research shows that people who practice kindness regularly tend to be healthier and live longer. So looking for ways to show kindness can give your life a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection. Through doing it, we're also building better selves and better communities at the same time. So Greek storyteller Aesop once said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted. So today, and for the rest of this week, I invite you to try this little challenge.
See if you can do one small kind thing each day for someone in your life and then be attentive to the effect it has on you. Does it brighten your mood? Do you feel more connected to others? Does it give your life a sense of meaning? So it's a beautiful thing to see that being kind to others is actually a kindness to ourselves. The more love and compassion we direct towards others, the more joy we end up giving to ourselves. As James Matthew Barry once said, "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." So in today's meditation, we'll continue to cultivate kindness within ourselves. So I invite you to settle in for that.
And as always, thank you for your practice and your presence here with us.
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Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
Vidyamala’s tips on catching anger as it’s happening or about to happen are great - clear, practical, and doable.
- Vicoir
The little talks before the meditations are priceless. It's like I've found my peeps. The topics, the quotes, the goals—it all makes so much sense to me, things I want to be thinking and learning about. Most importantly, the meditations are kindness-centered, which I love. It feels like a new way to approach meditation.
- Lauren
Incredible, easy to navigate app. I would highly recommend this app to anyone who wishes to reduce stress and anxiety or simply as an aid to improve overall mental health.
- Kirtus
I love how the app gives me pointers to new things to explore.
- Lydia
So calm and soothing. I love the new bundle with Kelly Boys, she’s brilliant!
- EJ
Better than Headspace. I've had the paid version of both apps, and I must say I enjoy this one better.
- Gina, Plus+ Member
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
I am very new to meditation, and am so happy that my first introduction to it has been through this app
The first session was fantastic. I feel safe. And supported. Almost like having someone helping me through my difficult time. I’m very grateful for this app.
- Babi
You get a lot of useful tips for handling stress and anxiety in 'real life'.
- Joy
Highly recommend.
- Humanfrst
Kelly Boys is hands down the best. Everytime I click on one of her guided meditations I get excited for the calmness that lies ahead.
-
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