Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement 3702: Why Creating More Kindness and Compassion Matters by Dr. Jenny Brockis on Improving Cognitive Function
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Aug 14, 2025 Explore how kindness and compassion are essential for thriving in both personal and professional life. Delve into the neuroscience behind these traits, which boost well-being and cognitive function. Discover that compassion is not just a nice gesture but a powerful skill that makes us better leaders and colleagues. Learn how daily acts of kindness can redefine our connections with others and enhance our overall engagement in life. The balance of empathy and personal well-being is emphasized as vital for fostering a caring environment.
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Lost At The Fair
- As a child I got lost at a fun fair and a stranger guided me to the lost-kids tent, giving me comfort and a comic.
- That act of kindness left a lasting impression about how small gestures can profoundly affect someone.
Biology Behind Kindness
- Vagal tone has a physiological role in kindness by calming the mind and boosting pro-social emotions via oxytocin.
- We are biologically wired to connect, survive, and thrive through compassion.
Stress Shrinks Compassion
- Chronic stress narrows our bandwidth for caring because it pushes us into survival mode.
- Feeling rushed or overloaded reduces our capacity for empathy even if we aren't inherently unkind.
