You Never Know What Someone is Going Through - Why It Always Pays to Be Kind

It can be so hard to tell what someone is going through, even if it is a person you are very close to. We all go through difficult moments in life, but some people are experts at hiding it from others and making it seem like everything is okay. You never know when a person might be struggling with depression, anxiety, or some serious problem, and the worst part is that there may be somebody you care about who needs a little help or a shoulder to cry on. 

In this blog post, we will explore why it is important to always treat everyone kindly and patiently because they may have things going on in their lives that can't be seen on the surface. We will also look at how one small act of kindness can have a huge impact on someone's life.

What are Some of the Common Problems People Face?

Modern life can be very stressful and at some point, almost everyone will face some kind of problem. Some of the most common problems people may be going through include financial worries, relationship problems, sickness, career worries, or family concerns. If you are noticing that someone is unusually quiet, has withdrawn from social interactions, or seems to be uncharacteristically stressed or unhappy, then make it a point to check up on them.

This is particularly important if you know that they have recently had a tough time like a break-up or a bereavement. In these situations, different people need different things. Some may need a shoulder to cry on while others may need cheering up with a fun night out. The most important thing is to always stay engaged with your loved ones so you can know when there is some problem in their life. Here are signs that someone may be experiencing problems:

• They seem to be constantly anxious when they are around other people.
• They withdraw from social interactions for extended periods of time.
• Their sleep patterns change and they start sleeping much more than usual or not at all. 
• Their eating habits change, like if someone is usually a healthy eater but starts only eating junk food or vice versa (like suddenly becoming vegetarian/vegan).
• Their personality or behavior changes. For example, they are usually assertive but all of a sudden become very timid or vice versa.

If you notice any of these signs then keep an eye on them and consider the best way to approach them about what is troubling them.

The Power of Kindness

Kindness really does cost nothing, but it can make such a huge difference when somebody is feeling down. If you are always kind, your loved ones and the people around you will know that you will always be there to support them no matter what, they will feel more confident about opening up. Having someone to talk to can help them to process their thoughts and feelings better which can empower them into taking positive steps towards improving their situation.

Being kind gives others hope for a brighter future when things may seem dark right now. Unhappiness, depression, and loneliness thrive off isolation. They want to separate people from their loved ones and support systems. Be there for the people around you, and the difference you can make in people’s lives is truly limitless.

How You Can Show Kindness Every Day

No matter who you are, there are always ways to show people kindness. You can do this simply by smiling at everyone you pass on the street or giving out compliments freely when it feels right. If someone is struggling to find motivation at work, school, or in another part of their life, remind them how great they really are and that all they need is a little push in the right direction.

In addition, you can get creative with how you show kindness by offering to help a complete stranger carry their groceries or giving up your seat on the bus for an elderly person. You can also send an encouraging text to someone who just experienced something bad and is feeling down. To spread the love even further, consider volunteering at your local church or community center so that you can help people through difficult times.

How to Help a Loved One Who is Struggling

If your loved one seems like they are struggling with something and you want to help them then the best thing to do is show that they are not alone. Sit down with them in person, maybe make a meal together or go out for coffee to show them that you are there for them. Don't push them into doing anything right away because some people need time to process what has happened while others may just want company during difficult times.

Be patient, especially if it's something very serious such as depression or bereavement. It can be extremely frustrating when someone won't open up or seems to be totally stuck in a rut, but always keep in mind how hard it must be for them and let things happen at their own pace.

Why You Should Be Kind to Strangers

One of the best things about being nice to strangers is how simple it can be on your part to have such an incredible impact on someone else’s day. Just saying hello when you pass by could give someone who's having a bad day something positive to focus on rather than dwelling on whatever was making them upset. It can help people to feel more connected with their community which is something that we are losing as a society.

Kindness to strangers in the street will help to strengthen trust among neighbors and make local communities a more pleasant place to live. When strangers start treating one another with love, kindness, and compassion, the knock on effect can empower the entire community. 

One Small Act of Kindness Can Have a Huge Impact

While social media gets a lot of bad press, it can be a wonderful tool for facilitating connections between people and showing us that we're not alone in this world. Sometimes, a simple 'like' on Facebook or Instagram can be enough to let someone know that they aren't going through whatever they're experiencing all by themselves.

In fact, research shows just how much impact tiny acts of kindness have when you take into account what science has to say about them. For example, one study from Harvard University found that being kind increases happiness levels in both giver and receiver because it stimulates certain areas in your brain which release serotonin and dopamine. This means that being kind will actually make you happier, and with the links between mood and physical health, it could have a positive impact on every aspect of your life.

Kindness is Contagious, Even Online

While most people are familiar with the saying 'misery loves company', it's actually happiness and kindness that are truly contagious. Back in 2010, scientists at Cornell University found out through their research how positive or negative words spread among friends and what factors contributed to this. Their findings showed that our moods can be heavily influenced by those around us, and that in the case of social media, one of the best ways you can help someone who appears upset is simply by brightening up your own profile or social media pages. 

A study from Yale University also backs up these results as they confirmed something known as emotional contagion whereby an individual's emotions can literally affect another person due to their close proximity. In this case, the study showed that if you are always in contact with a sad person or group of people, the chances are your mood will adapt to theirs and start becoming more negative as well.

This means we all have some serious responsibility when it comes to how we act and the energy we put out into the world both in real life and through our social media connections. It is certain that we are going to encounter people who are going through something difficult in their lives right now, even if they aren't saying anything about it publicly, so one easy way to be kind is to be mindful of your thoughts, words, and actions, both online and offline.

Always Be Kind to People Doing Difficult Jobs

Jobs where you have to deal with the public can be difficult, especially because in these types of jobs, people are trained that the customer is always right. Whether this is true or not, the sad reality is that the customer is not always polite. When interacting with a server at your favorite restaurant, the sales assistant on the cash register at your local store, or the person at the other end of the phone when your WiFi isn’t working, always be polite and remember that the person doing their job is just trying their best to make a living.

It is not the server's fault that your food is undercooked anymore than it is the flight attendant's fault that your plane was delayed. You don't know what is going on in their lives so you should always try to be kind and patient, even when something goes wrong in your life and they are the person whose job it is to try and deal with it.

Be Understanding and Patient When You are at Work

The other side of this is also very important, and if you do a job where you are dealing with customers or the general public, you should try to remember that they may be having a bad day. It's not fun to deal with people who are upset and complaining about everything under the sun, but it is part of your job and you don't know what may be going on in their lives.

For example, let's say someone is in a bad mood and they are rude to you when you are just trying to do your job. You don't know what may be going on with them, it could simply be that they are a rude person, but it may be that they have just received some terrible news or lost a loved one. While it isn’t your fault, and you don’t deserve to be abused or spoken to rudely, just try to be patient and friendly and you may find that your kindness rubs off on them.

Be Kind With No Thought of Reward

The purest way you can practice kindness is by being kind without expecting anything in return . This is called altruism, and while it may sound simple enough, few people are actually able to do it. Give gifts without hoping to receive them. Lend a hand to somebody who you know wouldn’t do the same for you. Offer reassurance and sympathy to someone who would be happy to see you fail. People often project their own unhappiness and insecurities and being kind rather than reciprocating is one of the best ways to change somebody’s behaviour.

Altruism doesn't need to be some huge gesture. It could just be secretly paying a stranger’s someone's bill in a coffee shop, or leaving a little extra tip for hotel staff. It's amazing how such tiny things can completely change someone's day and they may end up doing something kind for another person later.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it's always a good idea to treat those around you with kindness because you never know what someone is going through. Being kind can have an enormously positive impact on others as well as keeping your own spirits up. It’s amazing how something as simple as a smile, a Facebook like, or a selfless gesture can completely change someone's entire day. You can never truly know what battles or personal demons the people you meet are fighting, which is why it is crucial that everyone aims to spread love and kindness at all times.