Today marks Random Acts of Kindness Day and with our lives constantly undergoing change and uncertainty, random acts of kindness are like a cosy balm to our general well-being.
Have you ever asked yourself, ‘when was the last time I gave without expecting in return?’
To put your thoughts into perspective, a random act of kindness is when you give your best self to others without the promise of returns. Kindness, as a behavioural response to compassion, works as more of an action than an emotion. In performing these selfless acts, people tend to address their own selfish interests.
In fact, when performing a random act of kindness, your body releases serotonin which creates a sense of calmness and reduces anxiety while increasing happiness. It also releases oxytocin, also known as the ‘love hormone’ which increases optimism and lowers blood pressure, helping you see the world in a more positive light.
As the habit of giving without promises, of lifting someone burdens and giving them a helping hand to hold on to, kindness has the power of humanising us, of teaching us gratitude and empathy, lifting us spiritually. These small miracles of kindness can create a chain of happiness that we all should spread and pass on to others.
To make your day a beautiful one, here are a few random acts of kindness that you can spread forward today, or every day!
Compliment a stranger
How many times have you noticed something stunning about a stranger and wanted to let them know? Well, I’ve held back several times, always wondering how they’d react but just a simple gesture of letting them know your compliments can bring a smile to their face.
Give up your seat to someone
The journey back home after a long day of work can be a tiring and stressful one. Now imagine how you’d feel if a stranger offered you their seat on a crowded bus. Just as you’d feel grateful for a seat and the fact that someone extended kindness by considering your situation, the giver feels “helper’s high”, the healing power of doing something good.
Pass on a book to help someone
If you’ve come across reading material or resources that have helped you in any way, don’t hesitate in passing it along to those who you believe would benefit from them. Instead of gathering dust on your bookshelf, this small act can help someone who’s in need of it.
Plant a tree
A small act as simple as planting a tree and giving back to nature can cost less than a meal for two. We’re sure you don’t need us to list down the innumerable reasons why planting a tree can help our lives but a good place to start is by planting in your own garden or backyard.
Donate
Donations don’t always need to be connecting to some kind of monetary exchange. You can wish to donate blood, food, clothes, your time and efforts, your labour and skills, and much more. And studies have proven that donating can be a strong mood-booster, making it evident that giving is far more powerful than receiving.
A few organisations for you to consider, the next time you’re looking to donate:
