Conducting random acts of kindness can brighten both parties involved. Helping others can have an incredible psychological effect; when we give, our brain releases oxytocin, the “connection” hormone.
Complements, paying it forward and helping someone carry their groceries are simple yet cost-effective ways to brighten someone else’s day and bring joy into their life. These ideas may only cost pennies but could make an incredible impactful statement about humanity!
1. Give Away Toys
Small gestures are a simple yet effective way to bring joy and make someone feel cared for. Research has even proven the effect that kindness has on our mood, lower stress levels, increase happiness and stimulate oxytocin production – the so-called ‘connection hormone’. There are plenty of simple acts of kindness you can perform in order to spread joy – here are just a few ideas:
Giving toys away can be an enjoyable and creative way to bring joy. Encourage your kids to select some toys they don’t use anymore that would benefit other children, or set a rule whereby for every two toys they keep, one must go. If necessary, set an incentive such as for every two they keep they must give one away – otherwise they might resist!
Flowers or plants left outside someone’s door is a delightful gesture that shows your care, while providing positive health and wellbeing benefits to both family, friends, and neighbours. This acts of kindness can bring smiles all around!
Donating blood is a wonderful random act of kindness that will benefit those in need. There are currently blood shortages throughout the nation; by giving blood, you could potentially save someone’s life!
Send your friends an encouraging text or Facebook message that will bring a smile. A simple text such as, “Good luck!” or “Have an enjoyable day!” could do the trick!
Increase the depth of relationships with those you interact with regularly such as your coffee barista, cleaner or local shop worker by simply introducing yourself and learning their names.
2. Donate To A Charity
Helping friends and family can bring great fulfillment; but doing something kind for strangers is equally fulfilling. Random acts of kindness could range from simply allowing someone else to go ahead in line or giving to a charity working to solve specific issues.
Un act of random kindness doesn’t have to be limited to giving money (you can of course do that if you make extra money by playing online poker on any of the sites mentioned over https://centiment.io), either – why not pay it forward by leaving some spare change in a laundromat vending machine, or leaving spare coins in parking meters? Or perhaps baking something sweet and leaving it at the nurse station in hospital, or sending flowers as a gesture will do? You could make someone’s day better!
Make the act of kindness count and improve your mental health by volunteering at an animal shelter or homelessness charity near you. Giving back can have tremendous effects on improving mental health while making people happier overall.
Rather than neglect animals altogether, why not foster one until they find their perfect forever home or offer your eyes through services like Be My Eyes? Or start a GoFundMe for your favorite cause or choose small businesses where the savings go directly toward charity instead?
Do something fun and easy – writing an encouraging quote or message on a sticky note and leaving it somewhere for people to find. This can help lift people’s spirits quickly, with greater effect when including quotes about suicide prevention as part of its content.
3. Pay For The Stranger’s Meal
Experienced the joy that comes from giving someone else a helping hand isn’t limited to those you assist; it also brings immense satisfaction from spreading positivity and happiness. Even small gestures like giving someone compliments can have lasting impacts.
Paying for the meal of someone you don’t know can be an easy and thoughtful way to brighten someone’s day. Ask the barista if you could pay for them directly or just do it without their knowledge – either way this gesture will bring joy and encourage people to pass it forward themselves in future! It will put a smile on their faces while also inspiring more generosity among their fellow humans!
Kindness can also be spread by giving someone you don’t know a gift card; this is especially useful for families on a tight budget who can use theirs for groceries or restaurant dining experiences. Or give a surprise experience day as a thoughtful gesture, guaranteed to brighten anyone’s mood!
One fantastic idea is volunteering your time for a local project or support group. Doing this is an excellent way to stay connected to your community, whether that means volunteering at a food bank or lending a hand with some DIY. Donating time to a charity that resonates with your values or beliefs also shows a good example for others in your community. Leaving flowers or plants for others – both loved ones and strangers alike – to enjoy can reduce stress while increasing compassion.
4. Ask For Help
No matter your relationship status or size, asking for assistance can bring joy to others. Not only is it simple and doesn’t cost any additional money – but doing it shows you care and want to lend them support.
Helping someone can also be an excellent way to lift your own mood, as being kind releases oxytocin – the “connection hormone”, and has been linked with greater self-esteem and lower stress levels. Plus it feels fantastic!
Pay it forward by paying for the person behind you at Starbucks or leaving money in a vending machine so they can buy some snacks – this simple gesture can brighten someone else’s day while giving yourself some joy in return! Paying it forward can bring great happiness both ways!
If you see a garbage collector, mailperson, or food delivery person outside in the cold, offer them a hot beverage; this will help warm their hands, heart and stomach.
If you hear coworkers gossiping about someone, be a hero and intervene. Doing so will keep them from feeling bad and give the individual who needs support a huge boost.
Many times in life we can become close to people but forget to tell them we appreciate them or send a thank-you note – texting can make anyone’s day brighter!
5. Write A Review
If you haven’t done so already, pay for someone’s coffee or drink at an airport – this can make their experience so much better during a stressful moment! Additionally, many people like baking extra items for potlucks or taking meals when someone is experiencing difficult times; my friend Julian’s coworker did just this for him following his father’s passing, which truly touched him deeply! Another way of showing kindness is leaving positive comments online or in real life: this makes someone’s day and shows them they are appreciated!
Kind acts also release “feel-good hormones” into your body, similar to the rush you feel from working out. Your brain releases oxytocin when you show genuine kindness toward others – an endorphin known as the cuddling chemical which promotes feelings of connection and trust between individuals – which makes kindness such an important effort! That is why making an active effort to be kind towards others should become part of everyday routine.
There are so many ways you can be kind to other people, but the easiest and simplest way is starting small and daily. Don’t wait to do something big or impressive; simply do something that brings joy and watch how quickly it spreads! Your kindness may inspire someone else as well; tell me in the comments below what steps you take to improve your community!