How we treat our heart is as important now as it is for the rest of our lives. Kindness affects our heart rate, our blood pressure, and the stress on our heart. It is often said that we don’t have control over many circumstances in our lives, but we can control our responses. Responding in a “fight or flight” way often puts more pressure on the heart along with increased blood pressure, blood glucose, and other functions. It takes practice but a calmer response will allow our heart rate and pressure on the heart muscle to be more relaxed. Most stressful situations pop up and pass before we know it. A driver may cut us off in traffic, a rude person may say or do something that is uncalled for, or we may experience something that is uncomfortable. Realize that for the moment it may be alright to be upset, but to let that feeling go and be kind to your heart. “Let go and let God.”

Kindness (noun): the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate; a kind act. In her writings, “The Heart and Science of Kindness,” Melissa Broderick, Med, has compiled these Kindness Tips which have been condensed to include each of the points.

1. Kindness Starts With Being Kind To Yourself
2. Lead With Compassion, Follow With Kindness
3. We Feel Happier When We Act In Service To Others
4. Choose Kindness
5. Give To Give, Not To Receive
6. We Become Kinder With Practice
7. Kindness Begets Kindness
8. Kindness Is Lasting

In summary, noted author and speaker Maya Angelou spoke perhaps her most famous quote when she said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”