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New-Thought

Magic tonic works wonders

I’m going to let you in on a little secret that serves me so well.

As a nurse, I have to be careful about prescribing, but this is one prescription I’m licensed to provide.

I’ve needed it more than ever this past year. I see so many people who could benefit from even a small dose, so I’ve decided to share it with you.

I use it liberally as a magic tonic for what ails me, especially when my spirits are low. It works every single time, and has no negative side effects.

I caution you, it does give me a high when I use it, but it doesn’t cause impairment. It just feels good, like a warm glow or buzz.

It’s most often free, but at times there’s a wee cost involved, but the dividends it returns are magnified. It’s not a snake oil, as myriad research supports my claims.

This magic elixir is proven to:

  • Reduce stress
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Reduce depression
  • Reduce body pain
  • Decrease loneliness
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Improve heart health
  • Increase happiness
  • Enhance healing
  • Improve energy and confidence
  • Increase life-span

Interestingly, this is one thing that, when used, doubles when you share it; it actually multiples when you give it away. This only adds to its magical properties.

The ingredients are readily available to all of us. There’re many recipes available, and you can tweak the recipe to suit yourself and your taste, but the results are the same.

What is this magic tonic you ask?

The simple act of performing random acts of kindness (RAK).

Today, Feb. 17 is random acts of kindness (RAK) day, placed smack-dab in the centre of a week dedicated to random acts of kindness. It’s celebrated twice a year, but it’s genius placement in February is the perfect antidote to the winter blahs and our year of isolation and uncertainty.

Performing RAK benefits our lives in so many ways. Isn’t that amazing?

RAK activates our own internal pharmacies. It causes the secretion of beneficial hormones serotonin and oxytocin, as well as endorphins, while reducing the stress hormone, cortisol.

Serotonin is a natural antidepressant that increases happiness, a sense of calm, and also supports healing of wounds. Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, reduces blood pressure, enhances heart health, and promotes feelings of love and connection.

Endorphins reduce stress and pain, and act like natural opioids in our bodies, and they increase feelings of well-being.

The high experienced is called a helper’s high, which results from the activation of the brain’s pleasure and reward centres, and the flood of beneficial body chemicals.

Performing RAK can rewire our brains and reset our body chemistry for the better, as acts of kindness find their way into our brains and bodies. Successful people are found to incorporate kindness into their lives.

Even planning future acts, or recalling past acts of kindness, causes a positive shift inside us.

While no one else even needs to know about the kindness we’ve extended, benefits are experienced by people who merely witness such acts being performed.

The positive effects of kindness are reflected in the brains of everyone privy to kind acts, due to the activation of mirror neurons. We’re wired that way.

When we witness acts of kindness, we’re uplifted and more likely to extend kindness to others, compounding the effects. RAK are contagious, and this is one virus I’m delighted to spread.

As research into the benefits of RAK continues, encouraging such acts is being considered as an intervention to support mental well-being. That’s why I’m free to prescribe for you.

RAK can be very simple and free, such as holding the door for someone, letting someone in in traffic with a smile, a thoughtful phone call, or kind word or compliment.

Don’t reserve this recipe for special occasions. I hope you keep this magic tonic recipe close at hand and apply it liberally.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Corinne is first a wife, mother, and grandmother, whose eclectic background has created a rich alchemy that serves to inform her perspectives on life.

An assistant minister at the Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna, she is a retired nurse with a master’s degree in health science and is a hospice volunteer.  She is also an adjunct professor with the school of nursing  at UBC Okanagan and currently spends her time teaching smartUBC, a unique mindfulness program offered at UBC, to the public. 

She is a speaker and presenter and from her diverse experience and knowledge, both personally and professionally, she has developed an extraordinary passion for helping people gain a new perspective, awaken and recognize we do not have to be a slave to our thoughts, stress or to life. We are always at a point of change.

Through this column, Corinne blends her insights and research to provide food for the mind and the heart, to encourage an awakening of the power and potential within everyone.

Corinne lives in Kelowna with her husband of 44 years and can be reached at [email protected].



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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