A random act of kindness has scientific support to leave a lasting impact on an individual. Research reveals that simple, personal moments of kindness have the power to positively impact health - both physically and mentally. Spreading happiness and kindness truly can change the world.

Researchers continued to dig into these results, and they pursued what impact kindness has on pregnancy and pregnant mothers. Just as you can imagine, the benefits are worth talking about! While the study was meant to be based in an African American culture, the results were overwhelmingly clear that all cultures experience the benefits of kindness during pregnancy.

Acts of kindness from families, friends, and even strangers may help buffer against the chronic stressors experienced daily, and may help prevent activation of the body's physiologic response to stressors that could lead to preterm labor.

Researchers continue by stating:

“…asking for acts of kindness from families, friends, and even strangers strengthens social connectedness to pregnant women in their community. It establishes new social norms about how pregnant women are valued, treated and respected. It encourages and engages conscious, active participation from community members in promoting healthy pregnancy for all women.”

Most women believe that it takes a village to become a good and capable mother, but our society lacks this village as an overall whole. It’s time to recreate, rebuild, and hold one another positively accountable to uplift and provide support and kindness to new mothers.

It doesn’t take much time; it doesn’t take much effort. It simply takes kindness. Removing the walls to your own heart and breaking through our society’s false expectations of independence and personal priorities will allow us all to open our eyes and actually see everyone around us for who they are - a part of our own village.

(Enlarge for clarity, the image is directly from the research study.)

This image is called "The 100 Acts of Kindness" and was created by researchers to be utilized by families, friends, and strangers of pregnant mothers everywhere. While these 100 acts are wonderful, they are not the only ways to show kindness. Pull ideas from the list or add to it with your own ideas, but always know that your kind actions are a part of a much bigger picture.