Pulse Check: Your Curated Boost of Health & Happiness

Welcome to Pulse Check Presented by fini. This is where science, happiness, and community join forces to bring positivity to your life. This week's issue is all about kindness, gratitude & positivity.

🌎 Global Good News: Can $20 dollars change the world?

It all began when 9th-grade English teacher Kristina Ulmer’s sister, Katie, was working a late shift at a restaurant to earn some extra tips. Tragically, Katie never made it home. A fatal car accident took her life that night, leaving Kristina heartbroken and unsure of what to do with the money Katie had earned.

But Kristina knew one thing for certain. Katie, who had been training to become an EMT, would have wanted that money to serve a meaningful purpose.

Four years later, while teaching a new group of students, Kristina found a powerful way to honour her sister’s memory. She launched what is now known as the Kindness Challenge. Each student received $20 and a simple assignment: use the money to perform an act of kindness.

What followed were dozens of stories that showed just how far a small amount can go. Some students pooled their money to buy a Christmas tree for a local nursing home. One student used the funds to buy groceries for a struggling classmate. Another brightened a child’s day by gifting them a Lego set at Walmart.

Since its creation, the Kindness Challenge has inspired over 350 acts of kindness and helped raise more than $7,000 through community support. Remarkably, even students who are no longer in Kristina’s classroom continue to participate, spreading love and compassion in Katie’s name.

Turns out, $20 can make a lasting impact.

(Photos credits to Kristina Ulmer). Read more here

🧬 Wellness Insight: What Happens to Your Brain When You Practice Gratitude?

‘Science confirms what your heart already knows: gratitude is good for you’.

When you express gratitude, your hypothalamus is activated. This helps regulate stress and supports emotional balance. Another key part of the brain involved is the ventral tegmental area, which produces dopamine, often called the “feel-good” chemical.

So next time you feel that warm and fuzzy sensation after saying thank you or writing in a gratitude journal, just know your brain is responding to kindness.

📝 Weekly Journal Prompt: Rewire Your Mindset in 5 Minutes

Take a few moments to reflect and write down your thoughts. You can share them in the comments or keep them in your personal journal.

• What’s one recent win you’ve experienced, big or small?
  Progress builds confidence and momentum.

• What made you laugh or smile today?
  Recalling joy helps shift your focus to the positive.

• What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in the near future?
  Hope is a powerful motivator.

Remember: your time and your mindset are powerful tools. Use them with intention.

“A few nice words can help a person a lot more than you think”

📚 Book of the Week:

The War for Kindness by Jamil Zaki

Looking for a meaningful read that blends science and compassion? This book is a perfect pick.

Zaki, a psychologist and empathy researcher, explores how kindness can be learned and strengthened through detailed examples. With real-world stories and insights grounded in neuroscience and psychology, this book will help you understand how empathy works and why it matters.

It’s a great companion for anyone looking to stay grounded in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Feeling unmotivated and tired? Try out our weekly challenge:💪

During the next week, work on 3 small acts of kindness for anyone and see where it leads you. The universe is listening.

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