Practice for Random Acts of Kindness Day

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The Activist for Activists. Author of Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism and The Happy Activist: Journey the 5-Step Activism Path to Focus Your Passion and Change the World. Teacher, Psychologist, Environmental Activist, Animal Lover.

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The Science of Kindness

Random acts of kindness delight people and science shows that kindness helps the giver, the receiver, and the people that see it happen. This short video reviews all the good stuff that happens to you when you are making a difference with random acts of kindness.

Kindness has a profound impact on both individuals and society. Research has shown that performing acts of kindness can boost happiness, reduce stress, and improve physical health. It can also strengthen relationships, foster a sense of community, and promote prosocial behavior.

For individuals, kindness has been linked to increased levels of happiness and well-being. People who engage in acts of kindness experience greater levels of positivity, contentment, and life satisfaction. These positive emotions can lead to a range of benefits, including reduced stress, improved physical health, and increased longevity.

In addition to its individual benefits, kindness can also have a positive impact on society as a whole. When people are kind to each other, it creates a more positive and supportive environment for everyone. This can lead to decreased crime, increased civic engagement, and a stronger sense of community. Kindness can also help to break down social barriers and promote tolerance and understanding.

Random Acts of Kindness Day in the Community

Seeking Human Kindness — Photo by Matt Collamer

Although you can certainly wait and see what opportunities for kindness arise, I found that reading a list of ideas helped me realize opportunities I wouldn’t have thought to do. Like “Compliment drivers on how well they parked.” Or, “Ask a senior about their past.”

But think ahead, too. When I was researching this post I found ideas that could go very wrong. For example, “Wash your neighbor’s dog.”

My favorite ideas:

Join the bone marrow registry. It’s easy.
Sign up to become an organ donor. National Organ Donor Day is Thursday, February 14th.
Mentor someone. See my blog post about becoming a mentor.
Rescue pets or foster a pet up for adoption.
Eat plants instead of animals. See my blog post, At the Intersection of Diet and Climate Change.
Listen to each other.
Give someone the benefit of the doubt.
Tell people what you appreciate about them.

Embrace these, and you’ll be closer to kindness every day.

[Start your activism journey today.]

Random Acts of Kindness Day at Work

Kindness is Magic — Photo by Robert Baker

The Random Acts of Kindness yearly workplace kindness calendar provides suggestions to up the kindness quotient at work. Each day has something you can do. Today the calendar suggests, “Leave a note of gratitude to the cleaning crew.” Some of these seem to be things we should be doing as part of our job, like, “Respond to emails in a timely fashion.” But others are actions that we could all use reminding to make a part of our life, “Tell three co-workers why you appreciate them today.” Too often we assume that others know what we are thinking and feeling, only to find when we say it out loud, it can make a difference for the other person.

Each month includes a team activity. For example, in March, they recommend:

“During the month of March, find a local organization that could use your help and find a day (or half day) when everyone can volunteer in person. If that isn’t possible, create a fundraiser and ask others to donate either money, gift cards or goods/services that the organization can use. Be sure to check with the organization first so your efforts are meaningful. When you’re finished, celebrate as a team and maybe plan another volunteering event.”

Random Acts of Kindness Day in Activism

The Random Acts of Kindness Day website sponsors people they call RAKtivists®. ‘RAKtivist’ stands for Random Act of Kindness Activist; these are people who are focused on being kind and helping others. RAKtists can become part of a global community through the website.

Activists who are working to make the change they want to see in the world are likely to need all the support others can provide. So for Random Acts of Kindness Day, write a note to thank an activist in your life.

[Learn more about how to find your passion and change the world.]