The GO's Column

A message from our Guidance Officer – Ms Kaye Dallow

In alignment with our core values, let’s focus on further developing our capacity for all members of the Toogoolawah State High School community to be kind.

So, what is kindness? Let’s break it down.

Kindness is a fundamental character strength that requires generosity and consideration of others without expecting reward. It involves intentional acts of goodwill that enhance positive relationships and wellbeing. Acts of kindness can reduce stress and boost our physical and mental health. By simply smiling, listening, giving a compliment, showing empathy, we release our feel-good hormones, spreading a contagion of kindness and happiness.

The impact of kindness …

• We become happier, improving our self-esteem and mental health, making stronger connections with others
• We create a more compassionate & empathetic world
• Demonstrating our love and gratitude leads to greater feelings of satisfaction and security
• It improves how others see and accept you
• Kindness leads to the reductions of risk for disease
• Kindness is positively related to better self-regulation and less emotional reactivity

So, if kindness reduces stress and anxiety, has been proven to improve our physical wellbeing and makes both the giver and receiver happier, why aren’t we all being kinder to one another?

Change is not always easy, but with greater awareness and intention we can decide TODAY to step up.

Let’s all be a little kinder to others and ourselves.