Photo by Adam Nemeroff on Unsplash
This week is one of my favourite weeks of the year. It reminds me of how good it can be to be a human being. Reaching out and doing something for someone, an unexpected generosity, is one of the most positive experiences for the doer and the receiver. It has been researched to be so.
When a person gives or receives kindness, both individuals involved experience a release of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters. We get a dose of serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. All of this lifts our mood, relieves pain, and physically helps heal any inflammation in our bodies. What’s even more amazing is that the positive effects that occur are also experienced by onlookers who see the act of kindness. It amounts to a cascade of positivity, happiness, and calmness.
There are many research studies that bear out these positive effects which come from practicing kindness. It only needs to be a few acts of kindness a week to make a difference. Some research has shown that extending this to engaging in loving kindness meditation can actually help a person live longer – see the BrainCraft YouTube video below.
The purpose of this week, and especially Random Acts of Kindness Day on 17 February, is to encourage people to be kind and continue behaving kindly; in other words, to make kindness the norm.
The week is well-structured with a different kindness activity each day. Don’t worry if you read this on a day that’s already gone by, you can still be inspired to act. There’s a colouring contest for Sunday; give a gift card on Monday; Be a Kid Again on Tuesday; write a letter on Wednesday; sign up to be further involved in the campaign on Thursday; and letting someone know about the happiness they bring you on Friday. For all the information follow the link to the Random Acts of Kindness webpages below.
So, consider doing something kind for someone this week. Make that telephone call to the person who never calls you. Write off a debt. Visit a relative. Offer to buy a coffee for someone you work with. Make a donation to charity. If you live with someone and you’re not the one who routinely cooks or cleans, prepare a meal or vacuum through the home. Take the dog out, clean the cat litter. Smile at the next person who serves you in a shop, even better, ask them how they are…and mean it. Forgive someone for something they have done wrong, especially if that person is yourself.
Random Acts of Kindness Foundation: Random Acts of Kindness Week
‘Random Acts of Kindness’ and ‘Kindness Matters Guide’ on mentalhealth.org.uk
‘The Selfish Benefits of Kindness’ by BrainCraft on YouTube
‘The Science of Kindness’ by randomactsofkindness on YouTube
‘We Are Built To Be Kind’ by Fig 1 by University of California on YouTube
‘Kindness Can be the Norm’ by randomactskindness on YouTube
‘Official Song of LifeVestInside – Show You Care’ by lifevestinside on YouTube