When was the last time someone was kind to you – or you did something kind for someone else? I’m sure you won’t have to think back far to find a few examples. And that’s because the world is a much kinder place than we might think.

Today’s guest, Claudia Hammond, is an award-winning broadcaster, author, and psychology lecturer at the University of Sussex. In her latest book, The Keys to Kindness, she’s on a mission to encourage us to look out for the acts of kindness that are all around us.

In this conversation, she shares the results of the world’s largest in-depth study on kindness, and highlights the wide range of mental and physical health benefits for both giver and receiver. We talk about what kindness and compassion really mean, and the huge range of ways we can make a difference. We discuss the fears and obstacles that prevent people from being kind, how to overcome them, and why we should practice more kindness in relationships, as well as in the workplace. Among many other topics, we also look at unkindness on social media, why empathy is a skill you can learn, and how being kind to others starts with being kind to yourself.

I sometimes think kindness has a PR problem. It’s something we see as a bit throwaway, undervaluing it at best, dismissing it as ‘soft’ at worst. But by bringing us the psychology and neuroscience on why kindness matters, Claudia provides a powerful call to action to notice and create more of it in daily life. I hope this conversation inspires you to rise to the challenge.

Disclaimer: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*

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Watch the video version of this interview – click below.

Connect with Claudia:

Website      Twitter      Instagram

Claudia’s books:

• The Keys to Kindness: How to be Kinder to Yourself, Others and the Planet^†
• The Art of Rest: How to Find Respite in the Modern Age^†
• Time Warped: Unlocking the Mysteries of Time Perception^†
• Emotional Rollercoaster: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings^†

Related Feel Better Live More Episodes:

#95 Why You Need More Rest with Claudia Hammond

#104 How Being Kind Helps Your Immune System, Reduces Stress and Changes Lives with Dr David Hamilton

#151 The Surprising Truth About Happiness with Professor Laurie Santos

#163 How to Silence Your Inner Critic (and Why You Should) with Dr Kristin Neff

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