If you’ve ever met a truly kind-hearted person, then you know how great little things can make you feel. Sometimes it only takes little acts for somebody to show us how much we mean to them, and this is the true purpose of a random act of kindness. A random act of kindness is an unwarranted act that shows someone, be them a friend or a stranger, that you care about them. You can even show yourself some love by treating yourself! Recent research suggests that counting one’s own acts of kindness in a week, increases an individual’s subjective happiness (Otake et al., 2006).
Random Acts of Kindness Week occurring February 12th through 18th is a great time to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them by giving or doing little unexpected things for them. Below is a list of just a few suggestions of random acts of kindness to get you started:
- Give or send a genuine compliment to someone
- Take a box of treats to work with you to share
- Put your phone away for 30 minutes
- Smile at someone on the street
- Let someone into your lane while driving
- Put sticky notes with positive slogans around the house and at work
- Write a nice comment on this blog
- Remind yourself that everyone is fighting their own struggles
- Every night before you go to bed, think of three things you’re grateful for
- Call your mum or dad
- Indulge yourself in something you love
- Do something kind for someone you know
If you want to know more about Random Acts of Kindness Week, and the foundation, please go to https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/.
If there is anything preventing you from being happy and enjoying your life, there is help available. Please call Baypsych Consultants on 3488 0483.
References
Otake, K., Shimai, S., Tanaka-Matsumi, J. et al. J Happiness Study (2006) 7: 361. doi:10.1007/s10902-005-3650-z
