Kindness and happiness
Happiness means different things to different people, but for many, it includes feelings of pleasure and fulfillment.
Happiness is often closely tied to how we treat each other and understand those around us. In a landmark study (Fowler and Christakis 2008) published in the British Medical Journal, it was shown that happiness can spread from one person to another. In other words, a happy friend who lives close by, a happy spouse, or a happy neighbor can make others happy. This is likely true in an organization where many people work together towards a common goal.
When we talk about someone being kind, it often refers to someone helpful or inclined to act in ways that bring happiness to others. The words “kind” and “kinship” share the same roots. When we say “we are one of a kind,” we mean “we are part of a bigger group that shares many attributes.” Understanding the roots of kindness and kinship supports our view that to become good communicators, we need to feel connected(Ballatt, Campling, and Maloney 2020).
In healthcare settings, “kindness” can sometimes be daunting because interacting with sick individuals often makes us confront our vulnerabilities and weaknesses. As clinicians, it is essential to reflect on our emotions during healthcare communications.
Personal psychological well-being is crucial for us to be able to treat patients with kindness, which is why we address communication skills and the personal well-being of clinicians together. They are inseparable. Kindness stems from our connectedness with those around us, enhancing our ability to communicate effectively and compassionately.
Role of art in helping us to be empathic: Video of Richard from Tate
Video on Spirituality
Video on Delirium
References:
Ballatt, John, Penelope Campling, and Chris Maloney. 2020. Intelligent Kindness: Rehabilitating the Welfare State. 2nd ed. Cambridge, England: RCPsych/Cambridge Fowler, James H., and Nicholas A. Christakis. 2008. “Dynamic Spread of Happiness in a Large Social Network: Longitudinal Analysis over 20 Years in the Framingham Heart Study.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) 337 (dec04 2): a2338.