08 Nov Kindness & Compassion
Research shows humans have a strong tendency for kindness and generosity, and that kindness improves the health and happiness of both giver and receiver. However, sometimes we don’t act on our instincts & barriers can get in the way. Reminding people to think about social connectedness, and seeing victims as real people rather than just statistics, can help overcome some of the obstacles to kindness and allow care and compassion to shine through.
Create reminders of connectedness: Research suggests that when people are reminded of human connection, they behave kinder, even when the reminders of connection are very subtle. Something as simple as a quote on shared goals, words like “community,” or a picture showing warmth or friendships can all have an impact. Take a moment to look around your home, or office and consider how you could add words, images, or objects that communicate connection.
Put a human face on a problem: Research shows that humans are more likely to want to help others if they see them as real people, not just statistics. To motivate people to give their time or resources to a cause, tell them a personal story of a single, identifiable victim, ideally with a photo. This will help them feel a greater sense of personal connection, especially if they are of a similar age or have other things in common.