Balancing Kindness for Better Mental Health and Personal Boundaries

Explore with Savaira how balancing kindness can enhance your mental health and maintain personal boundaries. Learn to give generously while taking care of yourself.

At Savaira, we focus on providing comprehensive information to support mental and emotional well-being. Simple acts and life choices, such as kindness, can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life. However, it is crucial to balance kindness with self-care to maintain personal well-being. Keep reading to learn how to achieve this balance effectively.

The impact of kindness on mental health

Simple, intentional acts of helping others, without expecting anything in return, have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Kindness is a strength and has the potential to foster a sense of connection and well-being, making them beneficial beyond the immediate impact for everyone.

As Jill Suttie stated in the Greater Good Blog published in 2021, practising kindness often leads to higher levels of "eudaimonic happiness," which is characterised by a sense of meaning and purpose, compared to "hedonic happiness," which focuses on pleasure and comfort. Although sometimes being kind may reduce immediate comfort, it enhances self-worth and provides a deeper sense of purpose, leading to greater overall fulfilment.

A study conducted by David Cregg and Jennifer Cheavens at Ohio State University in 2023 examined the effects of kindness, social activities, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on individuals with high levels of depression or anxiety. The study found that while all three methods were effective in reducing symptoms and improving life satisfaction, acts of kindness were particularly effective in strengthening social connections and building more meaningful relationships compared to general social activities or CBT (Cregg & Cheavens, 2023).

This proves that acts of kindness that we do randomly or intentionally not only improve the mood of the receiver but also boost the happiness, self-esteem, and confidence of those who give them.

Balancing kindness

Kindness is sometimes seen as a sign of weakness or being too trusting. This happens because some people believe that kind people are passive, easy to manipulate, or not strong enough to stand up for themselves. These misunderstandings can lead to kind people being taken advantage of, causing them to feel frustrated and let down.

In Pakistan, where kindness and generosity are deeply ingrained values, it's important to recognize the need for balance to prevent exploitation and burnout. While being kind is a cherished quality, overextending oneself can lead to personal harm and resentment. Societal expectations often push individuals to prioritise others' needs, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being. This can create a cycle where people feel obligated to constantly give and give, leading to emotional and physical strain.

An article in Dawn, 2023, highlighted that individuals, particularly in professional settings, often face pressure to overextend themselves due to cultural expectations of generosity and support. This shows that these expectations frequently lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress.

Here are a few situations in Pakistani culture where kindness is often tested:

1. Extended family members might regularly ask for financial help or favours, adding pressure on those who are already stretched thin.
2. In the workplace, employees often face unspoken expectations to work overtime or take on additional responsibilities, leading to stress and burnout. To maintain your well-being, it's crucial to learn how to balance your workload. Click here to read about the “Productivity of saying No”.
3. Students in schools often feel pressured to take on extra tasks or work harder to fit in with their peers. This can contribute to mental health concerns. Click here to learn how we can help youth with their mental health concerns.
4. Social norms push people to host large gatherings for events like Eid or Ramadan Iftar, or contribute significantly to family events, which can strain finances and energy.
5. Parents might feel pressured to spend beyond their means on their children’s education to meet societal expectations, leading to financial and emotional stress.

These situations highlight the importance of recognizing one's limits and prioritising well-being while managing the demands of kindness in our culturally rich society. By promoting awareness about the need for self-care and the importance of maintaining limits is essential for mental health.

Balancing kindness with self-respect ensures that people can continue to support others without sacrificing their own well-being. Encouraging this balance not only improves individual health but also fosters healthier, more sustainable relationships within the community.

Wrapping up

Anything that comes at the expense of your well-being is a hazard that must be avoided. Always remember, your mental health comes first. It is important to value humanitarian rights and to be kind and generous, but if it harms your mental and emotional well-being, it is not worth it.

If you or anyone you know is facing mental health issues, contact Savaira. We want the best for you, and our professionals are here to provide the best assistance for your mental health concerns. Prioritise your mental health; it deserves the same attention as work, studies, or recreational activities.