World Caring Day: Why it is celebrated and how is being kind and empathetic to others good for ourselves

Love, kindness, and empathy have the power to transform the world. It gives us the inner strength and support to withstand challenges in life and succeed. Even a small act of kindness, at times, has the power to brighten up someone's day. And so, every year June 7 is celebrated as World Caring Day to emphasise the need for a kinder world. The day also appreciates people who play the role of caregivers.While no particular history or date is known from when this special day is being celebrated, it is still an important event to be marked. This is a day to pause and reflect upon the need for empathy and kindness and how it can help create stronger and more connected communities.
World Caring Day is also connected to other efforts like improving mental health, supporting local communities, or the need to provide humanitarian aid to the less privileged. And so, in a nutshell, World Caring Day highlights the power of caring and creating a better world for all. On this day, many people practice small acts of kindness, help the needy, or even volunteer at their local community organisations and practice compassion.
How being kind and empathetic to others is also good for our ourselves

In today's fast-paced and often self-centered world, being kind and empathetic to others often seems to feel like an alien concept. However, there still are some people in society who go out of their way to help others and are an inspiration to many. In fact, many psychological theories and studies also suggest that being kind and empathetic to others has many benefits to our own mental, emotional, and even physical health. Here we list down some of them:
1. Emotional health
Being caring and helpful to others helps us feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life, thus boosting our mood and overall happiness. Practising small acts of kindness can not only uplift someone else's mood but yours too. It helps in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, as it often releases endorphins-- the body's natural "feel-good" hormones.
2. Helps create a strong support system
Being caring and helpful to others helps one strengthen their social connections. This in turn helps in building a supportive community and support system, especially for those in need. And so, being helpful and caring to others' acts often has a ripple effect in society. It also helps people who are battling anxiety and depression feel better and less lonely.
3. Empathy improves our communication skills
Empathy often enhances our communication skills and makes us better listeners before responding to others with compassion. We also become more effective in resolving conflicts and building cooperation. This not only improves our relationships but also helps build a more connected community.
4. Physical health benefits
Research has shown that practicing regular acts of kindness can lower one's blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, and even strengthen their immune system. These health benefits are largely due to the reduction of stress, which is a common consequence of being compassionate to others. The reason is: When we practice empathy and compassion, we shift our attention away from our worries and stressors. This in turn can help break the cycle of stress-related physiological responses, such as elevated heart rate and cortisol levels. Over time, this reduced stress can lead to better heart health, a stronger immune system, and a lower risk of various stress-related ailments.
5. Practice being kind and loving to yourself too
Practicing kindness and empathy towards yourself can be seen as a form of self-care. Take care of your diet, exercise, skin routine, etc. and be kind to yourself when you make mistakes. This can hugely boost our self-esteem and mood, and improve our overall mental health too.