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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#242424;background:#E8EBFA'>We are challenging students to participate in the <a href="https://wellbeing.uw.edu/mental-health/huskykind/">#HUSKYKIND challenge</a> this quarter. There is much research that connects acts of kindness and improved mental health. It has the added bonus of cultivating a culture of care. Please encourage students to participate in this effort by sharing this email or <a href="https://wellbeing.uw.edu/mental-health/huskykind/">this link</a> with them.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=750 height=750 style='width:7.8125in;height:7.8125in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D91F84.BC3FC420" alt=5><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><b><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>What is kindness?</span></b><span style='color:#3D3D3D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>It is an action intended to benefit someone (yourself or someone else). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><b><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>What are the mental health benefits of kindness to others?</span></b><span style='color:#3D3D3D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><ol start=1 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#3D3D3D;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><b>Helping others helps you feel good</b><o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>There is evidence to suggest that when you help others, it can promote physiological changes in the brain linked with happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>Being kind to others can help reduce anxiety. Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active. This, in turn, can improve our self-esteem. <o:p></o:p></span></p><ol start=2 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#3D3D3D;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6'><b>It creates a sense of belonging and reduces isolation</b><o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>Helping others can also help us feel a sense of belonging, make new friends and connect with our community. The human connection between the person being kind and the recipient(s) can help reduce loneliness and isolation. The benefits remain the same whether you are kind to a stranger or a loved one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><ol start=3 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#3D3D3D;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo9'><b>It helps make the world happier – it’s contagious!</b><o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place, with positive impacts on the giver and the receiver. The benefits of a kind act on the recipient is much greater than the giver imagines it is.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>It may also encourage others to repeat the good deed that they’ve experienced themselves – contributing to a more positive community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><b><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>What are the mental health benefits of self-compassion?</span></b><span style='color:#3D3D3D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.9pt'><span style='color:#3D3D3D'>There is abundant research that self-compassion is very beneficial to your wellbeing. Therefore, we included some self-compassion items in our list. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Natacha Foo Kune, Ph.D.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Director <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>University of Washington Counseling Center<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>401 Schmitz Hall, 1410 NE Campus Parkway<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Seattle, WA 98195-5830<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>206.543.1240 | washington.edu/counseling<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>