Your Health is your Wealth: Kind Words Matter

 Have you ever experienced a day when you received a compliment that made you feel a boost of confidence? Compliments - unprompted comments of recognition or praise - are important because of their ability to stick with those who receive them. Words can impact individuals who may remember them for a long period of time or hold onto them until they can say them for themselves. Even small compliments can make a big difference in how people feel. 

Giving compliments corresponds with supporting others. Expressing praise or gratitude to another individual can make them feel reassured, respected, and valued in workplaces, schools, and everyday interactions. People may feel this way because the frontal lobe of our brains contains an area called the prefrontal cortex. This part helps direct other regions of the brain to complete their functions when needed. It is responsible for impulse control, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Additionally, dopamine, a brain chemical that is released when one does something good - which triggers the reward system in the limbic system to make the body want to do it again - can be found in the prefrontal cortex. This feeling of reward and pleasure makes someone feel happy. Even repeating words of affirmation to oneself can make that person feel less stressed and more assured. If a student hears, “Great job on your presentation,” it can motivate them to keep working hard to improve. These results are progressive and help to develop a positive sense of self. 

Kindness can spread like a ripple effect. When people receive compliments and feel good, they often have the drive to share that feeling with someone else by giving a compliment to another person. There’s a sociological social norm called the “Reciprocity Effect” that generally states humans tend to mirror behavior by reciprocating actions they receive from others. A small compliment has the power to create a more supportive and positive environment in schools, workplaces, relationships, and after-school activities. Routines of supportive, constructive criticism can form, encouraging trust, boosting self-esteem, and creating a healthy learning environment. 

In all, small gestures have the power to influence others in meaningful ways. Whether through greeting someone, actively listening, or offering a genuine compliment, paying attention to the people around you can help build stronger connections. It’s important not to underestimate the power of kindness.  So next time you notice something you appreciate about a person, tell them - you never know if you might make their day.