Love and kindness aren’t just nice words. They are actions we take daily, stemming from beliefs we hold — and they are essential to achieving health. But how exactly can love and kindness help our physical health and overall well-being?

Every morning, many people walk out their doors with their game faces on, dressed for purpose and ready to attack the day. In their hurry, some may forget to first give themselves a little love-and-kindness time…gazing out the window and appreciating the beautiful trees as their coffee brews, listening to birds chirping or the neighborhood bustling, being mindful and kind to others in the household.

Life will always be filled with busyness and challenges — in the world at large and in our homes. However, being mindful, showing love and kindness and practicing gratitude towards yourself and others can and will make a real difference.

When we become disgruntled, angry or speak out of frustration, it takes energy — negative energy — and this is not to our health benefit. Anger and frustration, when poorly managed and frequently experienced, can put increased strain on your cardiovascular system and overall well-being. This can lead to increased blood pressure, heightened risk of heart attack and stroke, digestive issues, headaches, insomnia, a weakened immune system, and the potential worsening of existing conditions like psoriasis, eczema, other skin issues and even anxiety. We can see the impact our negative emotions have on our health and wellness in the following key areas:

Cardiovascular impact: When angry, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to spike, which can contribute to heart disease, arrhythmia and an increased risk of heart attacks, especially if you already have underlying heart conditions.
Stress to the body: Chronic anger can lead to a constant state of stress, impacting your immune system, digestion, sleep patterns and overall mental state of being.
Mental health: Suppressed anger can manifest as anxiety, depression and can contribute to substance abuse.
Physical symptoms: Anger can manifest physically with symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, upset stomach and skin flare-ups.
Social consequences: Uncontrolled anger can damage relationships, lead to conflicts and isolate you from others.

This holiday season, let us remember the importance of being mindful and acting with love and kindness. By practicing this every day and remembering to stay the course, we can create more calm and peace — for ourselves and our households — that is vital for our health. Even if it’s just a smile, positive actions can move mountains, change lives, and chart an upward course for our overall health and well-being.

Candice Nicole is a health advocate and founder of HUmineral, a producer of plant nutrient (food-based) mineral supplements. She can be reached at [email protected] or (818) 400.7657. For more information, visit www.HUmineral.com.