In this BIT: Dr. Kelli Harding, author of The Rabbit Effect shares all that you need to know about kindness (including health benefits!), and her tips for how to be kind.
Dr. Kelli Harding, a doctor and professor of psychiatry based in NYC, holds a single, major goal. Her goal is: make the world a kinder and healthier place for everybody. In her mission, Dr. Harding has authored a critically acclaimed book, The Rabbit Effect, focusing on social connection, health, and the role of kindness in both. We’ve all heard it from our parents, teachers, and other adults in life; be kind. Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you. Always be nice to others. While these lessons are deeply true and important; why?
As she is a researcher and expert on kindness, we could not help but ask Kelli about the importance of being kind. Her answer was astounding! Kindness sparks incredible physical benefits. Being kind to others (and spending time in kind, supportive, positive environments), is shown to lower anxiety and blood pressure, and ultimately help us live longer and happier lives. Dr. Harding’s book is all based on the premise that even just treating an animal with kindness will boost its health by 60%. This premise is ‘The Rabbit Effect’ after which her book is titled. Below are our three biggest learnings from our conversation with Dr. Kelli Harding.
How can we all be kinder? We’ve all been there – overwhelmed, angry, frustrated, shocked, or simply in a bad mood. This may lead us to react emotionally towards someone.
Dr. Harding shares that our primitive reactions lie in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. So, to react with more compassion and kindness, try the following steps to move your thinking and decision-making out of the prefrontal cortex, into the frontal cortex, boosting your ability to use reason.
Pause. Breathe. Smile
PBS for short! Keep this technique in mind whenever you feel the urge to snap, say something unkind, or emotionally boil over. Pause for a moment, take a deep breath (inhaling and exhaling), and then gently smile.
A simple kind act travels far further than a one-time interaction. In fact, Dr. Harding described that when we express goodwill to someone, people in our proximity also experience benefits. These benefits even include increased happiness! Through kindness, we show to others the goodness in our world, and inspire them to spread a little bit of good in their day too. Use this knowledge as fuel to feel a sense of purpose in your day, and to practice more kindness into your daily life.
Dr. Harding experienced a significant career shift, changing her course of study from journalism to medicine. An essential lesson that she carries and demonstrates is the fact that we should not back away from trying new things. See yourself as an explorer, and the world as your terrain to experiment, backtrack, and wander into unknown territory. Embody the same open-mindedness and sense of adventure as an explorer. What do you feel inclined to try?
Dr. Kelli Harding’s approachable advice on how to be kind truly holds the power to change your day! We hope these takeaways bring you a Small Bit of Happiness and inspire you to spread some kindness.
Listen to Dr. Kelli Harding’s full episode here.
Find Dr. Harding here:
Website: kellihardingmd.com
For more happiness check out our Mood Boost page.
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