TIC (September, 2017)
Random Acts of Kindness
One of the key strategies in TIC, is the building of positive relationships with students, co-workers and parents. Carl Rogers, a psychologist, who coined the term “unconditional positive regard” stated that unconditional positive regard is a relational quality characterized by deep empathy and unconditional acceptance of others. When we receive and give kindness to ourselves and extend it to others, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin, the neuro-hormone of bonding and connection, which elicits feelings of trust, affiliation and connection and reduces sensitivity to the stress circuitry of the brain. This is why kindness is crucial not only in maintaining sound psychological health but also in recovering from difficult experiences (p. 122).
Cullen, M., & Pons, G. B. (2015). The mindfulness-based emotional balance workbook: an eight-week program for improved emotion regulation and resilience. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.