Why being kind beats being nice every time

CLEANING UP YOUR MENTAL MESS with Dr. Caroline Leaf

Dr. Caroline Leaf

Health & Fitness, Mental Health

4.6 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 22 January 2025

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, we explore the profound difference between kindness and niceness. While niceness often prioritizes comfort and approval, kindness is rooted in genuine care, bravery, and authenticity. Discover why being kind—not just nice—fosters trust, deeper connections, and long-term growth.

You’ll also learn about the science of kindness, from its biochemical benefits like releasing dopamine and oxytocin to its proven impact on mental health. Plus, I’ll share practical tips for incorporating kindness into your daily routine, including the ideal ratio of compliments to criticisms (hint: it’s 5.6:1!) and how acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of well-being.

Don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode—it truly helps the show grow.

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Cabin crew, prepare for landing.
0:02.0	Wow, that was a quick flight.
0:03.8	Yeah.
0:04.2	Oh, never mind.
0:05.2	Bondi Beach, Barry Reef, here we come.
0:08.2	Holiday of a lifetime.
0:09.5	I can't wait.
0:11.0	Me neither.
0:12.3	Ladies and gentlemen will shortly be landing in Austria.
0:16.0	Austria?
0:17.0	We're supposed to be going to Australia?
0:19.7	What have you done?
0:20.5	Um, should have gone to spec savers. Book an eye test online. Uh... We're supposed to be going to Australia. What have you done?
0:24.3	Should have gone to spec savers. Book an eye test online.
0:27.3	Anyone got any long trousers I could borrow?
0:28.9	I've only got a bikini, Andy.
0:41.8	Hi, I'm your host, Dr. Caroline Leaf, and welcome to my podcast, Cleaning Up the Mental Mess.
0:50.2	Well, one of the ways that we can really clean up the mental mess is to know the difference between being kind and being nice.
0:51.9	Kindness versus niceness.
0:52.7	What's the difference?
1:10.9	How does it impact you scientifically? How can you build this into your daily life? Okay, and that's what you're going to be talking about today. And guys, I would love it if you would rate and review the show. This really helps me to get this more information out to you and share and share. Hey, guys, we need to help each other other and this is good content. It helps me, you and everyone else.
1:13.0	So rate with you and share.
	...

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