Random acts of kindness spread goodwill and happy hormones, it even has its own week of the year. The best part is that kindness is as cheap as fresh air and as contagious as the flu, but some people see kindness as a weakness or something to be ashamed of. We disagree.
Below you’ll discover great reasons to practice random acts of kindness and ideas you can try today.
Kind People Are Happy People
Positive psychology is the science of how positivity helps us flourish, live longer, and lead more fulfilling lives. Studies show that people who are subjectively happier, in general, are also kinder people. They volunteer, donate to meaningful charities, and practice random acts of kindness.
Kindness makes you more aware of gratitude, empathy, and compassion. These help you feel more connected to others and less alone. Showing empathy, compassion, and gratitude toward others also helps you practice self-forgiveness and self-love.
In fact, highly anxious people that perform acts of kindness are able to reduce anxiety, improve interpersonal relationships, and have an easier time socializing. Because helping others creates a similar effect within yourself, you feel less isolated.
Stronger Relationships Are a Side Effect
Did you know the relationships you build help you to live longer and even endure physical pain? Practicing random acts of kindness helps you build a sense of community. When performed for people you care for, they improve your relationships and help the other person feel recognized and have a greater sense of belonging.
Something as small as taking a batch of cookies (or this deliciously easy Coconut Crepe Cake) to your neighbor can create positive emotions and anti-stress hormones. With the constant negativity shared on social media, it is easy to believe that kindness is the exception and not the norm. However, kindness is contagious. Just seeing someone perform a random act of kindness creates positive hormones and inspires others to do the same.
It’s Cheap & Easy to Start
If you see someone committing an unprovoked act of kindness, tell a friend. Let them know how it made you feel and make plans to vandalize the world with your own acts of love. You don’t have to have a lot of money or time to do something great. Practicing kindness for as little as 10 days can have a significant impact on your sense of wellbeing.
The list below will help you get started:
- Give a compliment to a stranger
- Give someone your seat on a crowded bus or subway
- Buy a meal for someone in need
- Make a meal for someone
- Help someone struggling to carry their groceries
- Keep plastic bags filled with snacks in your car to give to the homeless
- Bring treats to your local fire station or healthcare workers like these Whole grain zucchini muffins with Pineapple
- Participate in a charity walk or run
- Pay for someone's meal at the table next to you
- Signup for a shift at your local soup kitchen
- Donate a vacation or a sick day to a colleague that is struggling with an illness or caring for a sick loved one
- Leave treats in the breakroom for your coworkers like this No bake chocolate eclair cake
- Bring a Cardamom rose steamer to an office assistant
- Make this Grilled chicken kebabs with creamy herbed feta sauce for a neighbor/colleague who has just had a baby or surgery
Kindness Improves Your Physical & Mental Health
Half of Canadians say stress has had a negative impact on their sleep. The thing about stress is that it can come at you from any direction, including from things we love. Practicing acts of kindness releases the wonder hormone, oxytocin, which counteracts the effects of stress.
Oxytocin is also known as the “love hormone”. It triggers an avalanche of positive chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, nitric oxide, and others that make you feel great and lower your blood pressure. Practicing kindness like volunteering can boost your immune system, reduce anger, anxiety, and depression.
Long story short, being kind isn’t simply a ‘nice to do’, it’s the gateway to a happier, healthier life. At a2 Milk™, we know building positive routines into your life like practicing kindness isn’t always easy. It requires patience, persistence, and self-acceptance. That’s why we celebrate creating a holistic, sustainable lifestyle for you and your family with food that nourishes your body and your soul. Just don’t forget to grab the a2 Milk™ at your
