Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place.1,7,8
We want to see a world where kindness is built into business decisions, government policy and official systems. However, we can start by individual commitment to showing kindness in our words and our actions.
You might want to do something for someone else or take note if you experience an act of kindness.
Not sure where to start? We’ve put together some suggestions to help you out…
At home and in your community
- Call a friend who you haven’t spoken to for a while
- Post a card or letter to someone you’ve been out of touch with
- Send flowers to a friend, out of the blue
- Find out if a neighbour needs any help with shopping
- Ring someone who is on their own
- Send someone a handwritten thank you note
- Tell your family how much you love and appreciate them
- Help with household chores
- Offer to help an elderly or vulnerable neighbour
- Check on someone you know who is going through a tough time
At work
- Remember to say “hi” to colleagues and ask how they are - whether that’s face-to-face, or virtually if you are working from home
- Offer to support colleagues who may not be familiar with videoconferencing or new software that you have already used
- Set up a coffee or lunch club - with your regular colleagues and with new ones
- Have a conversation with a colleague you don’t normally talk with
- Get to know a new member of staff - it is hard to join a new workplace
- Lend your ear – listen to your colleague who is having a bad day
- Say thank you to a colleague who has helped you
- Praise a colleague for something they have done well
In public places
- Wish a passer-by a good morning or afternoon
- Be a considerate cyclist/driver
- Pick up some rubbish lying around in the street
- Smile and say hello to people you may pass every day, but have never spoken to before
On social media
- Take time to contact people you haven’t seen for a while
- Write something nice or encouraging on a post you appreciate
- Acknowledge and validate someone’s story – if they are having a difficult time you don’t have to have all the answers, sometimes a like or a brief ‘I’m sorry to hear this, is there something I can do?’ is enough to make them feel heard
- Think about what you share - look at the source of the post, and the tone. If it isn’t kind, think twice. If something could upset others and you feel you need to post it, use a trigger or content warning
- Think about your comments and replies. Try not to say nasty things, or pile on where somebody questions another person’s actions
Evidence shows that being kind really does improve your wellbeing1
While we know that we don’t do things for others for what we can get out of it, we also know that the more we do for others, the more they are likely to do for us.11
With this in mind, try to help others once a day for a week and see if it makes a difference in how we feel.
You can take joy in being deliberately kind - whether by recognising the time you have for your kids or partner, speaking more to family or volunteering in your community.
Try to keep track of:
- any volunteering that you’ve done
- support you’ve given to friends and family
- any random acts of kindness that you’ve carried out
- what others have done for you.
Remember to make a note of how they made you feel. You could even keep a diary! Write down three things you are grateful for each day, or simply say these to yourself as the day draws to a close.