Being kind isn’t difficult. Once you set your mindset to ‘Kind,’ you’ll notice all sorts of opportunities throughout your day to reach out and be kind to someone.
As a bonus, once you’re in the kindness loop, you’ll notice you feel happier and more fulfilled. Scientists call this ‘the helper’s high’ as altruistic acts trigger the same endorphins as a ‘runner’s high’!
Here are some simple everyday ways of including kindness in your day.
- Stop to let a pedestrian cross the street or to allow another driver into the traffic.
- Say please and thank you.
- Say good morning and good night to your colleagues.
- Smile at a stranger.
- Hold the door for the next person.
- Hold the elevator.
- Let someone with only a few items go in front of you in the grocery store.
- Do a coffee run for your colleagues.
- Hug your loved ones.
- Push the trash bins out for your neighbors.
- Mow your elderly neighbor’s lawn.
- If you’re going to the store, ask your neighbor if you can pick anything up for them.
- Try volunteering at your local soup kitchen or shelter.
- Be the bigger person and let the other guy have the coveted parking space.
- Stand up for someone on the bus or subway.
- Ask a stressed-out co-worker if you can help.
- Help wash the cups after a meeting.
- If the photocopier is running on empty, replace the toner and fill the paper bin.
- Buy surprise flowers for your partner.
- Give some coins to a street entertainer.
- Pledge to stop grousing for a week.
- Join your company’s mentor or buddy program.
- Leave a book or magazine on the subway or in a bus station.
- Donate your excess art supplies or craft materials to an elementary school.
- Encourage your kids to sort through their stuff and donate items in good condition to charity.
- Donate money to your favorite charity or non-government organization.
- Notice what your partner or colleagues are wearing and pay a few compliments.
- Ask friend or colleagues how they are, and listen to the answers.
- Reach out to family members or friends, send a text message, or call them to see how they are.
- Clean up your neighborhood. If you see trash in the street, pick it up and put it in the bin.
