NINE SHORTCUTS TO KINDFULNESS

SOFTEN YOUR VOICE

WHEN things go wrong, instead of criticising yourself, ask: ‘What would a good friend say?’ ‘If you’re on a diet and you’ve just wolfed a huge slice of cake, don’t beat yourself up. Say: “I’m going to let it go then get back on the wagon,”’ Padraig O’Morain says.

BE ATTENTIVE

PUT away your phone when talking to people, says Jaime Thurston. ‘It’s said attention is the most basic form of love, but we often don’t give it.’

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

TINY things make a difference, such as phoning a friend you haven’t seen in a while or baking a cake for someone having a hard time. ‘Don’t underestimate the power of those tiny connections,’ says Bernadette Russell.

DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

USE your skills to help someone — mow their lawn or help with their taxes. It will give you a warm glow and they will want to pass on the kindness.

SAY SORRY

IF YOU’VE snapped at someone, go back and apologise. It has a cleansing effect.

BE KIND TO UNKIND PEOPLE

IT ELEVATES our mood and will make them think, creating a ‘ripple’ effect of kindness.

STEP UP AND HELP

IF SOMEONE’S struggling to find change or carrying heavy bags, step forward. It will turn around their whole day — and yours, says Jaime.

GIVE OTHERS THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

THAT person who just cut you up in traffic might be having a tough time. ‘If you can think the best of everyone it will increase your capacity for kindness,’ says Jaime.

LEAVE HOME A MINUTE EARLIER

WHEN we’re rushing, we don’t have time to let someone in the queue before us. Leaving home a minute before you need to will allow you to cultivate patience and be kinder.