It’s often argued that there’s no such thing as a purely altruistic act, and with the guys at Harvard reporting in 2019 that we are, in fact, hard-wired to be kind, perhaps there’s some truth in that statement.
Wait, hold up! Don’t dismiss the idea of being kind for kind’s sake just yet. Indeed, research has consistently suggested that performing random acts of encouragement, empathy and support can boost our health and wellbeing, and as such, kindness has been integral to human’s survival as a species.
So, whether you’re doing this thing for your own benefit or you genuinely just want to be nice, the results are going to be positive…rejoice! With that in mind, here are 7 ideas for random acts of kindness to brighten up someone’s day.
PAY COMPLIMENTS
Compliments can boost a person’s self esteem – for both giver and receiver! In fact, as Happify point out that when we pay a compliment, it amplifies our own self-confidence, too.
Yep, this one’s a virtuous, self-fulfilling circle, so set yourself a goal to compliment at least one person each day. Of course, you don’t want to be overly personal or effusive in your praise; this may come across as disingenuous or worse, sleazy. Check out this nice list of positivity-boosting compliments for some inspiration.
GIVE MONEY TO A GOOD CAUSE
Giving money to charity can help someone who truly needs it. What’s more, it can actually strengthen your own sense of self worth. A 2007 study into the neural responses caused by voluntary giving found that our reward mechanism was stimulated when we donated money to charity.
And the even better news? Giving to charity has never been easier. Check out these 4 IDEAL ways to help a charity online for more.
BABYSIT FOR FREE
If you have friends who are parents, it can be a lovely gesture to offer to babysit their children for free (as long as you’re capable and the offer is a welcome one, of course!). Parenting can be hugely challenging so it would be a nice surprise for them to get given the night off to go to enjoy some well-needed social time.
PAY FOR SOMEONE’S COFFEE
Coffee shops are often filled with busy people on their way to work. Paying for someone’s morning coffee can help start their day off with a smile and be a generous act of kindness. You never know how stressed or busy someone may feel, and you’d be surprised how this small act of kindness can really make someone’s day better.
SAY IT WITH SWEETS
If you know someone with a sweet tooth, then it can be a nice gesture to give them an edible pick-me-up like these personalised sweet jars containing their favourite goodies. Catering a gift to someone’s tastes can really make them feel special, and shows that you’ve been listening and remembering their favourite treats!
SNAP A PHOTO FOR SOMEONE
If you’re a couple or a family on a day out, it can often feel awkward asking a stranger to take your photo. By offering to take someone’s photo for them, you are allowing them to document a cherished moment – and it won’t cost you a dime. Rather, just a simple click of the ‘capture’ button. That’s if your first photo is deemed good enough, that is!
WRITE LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
We live in a world of being attached to our laptops and mobile phones. It can be therapeutic to get away from technology to sit down and write small letters of encouragement or praise. It can be even more therapeutic to receive one!
So, why not pen a letter to a family member or friend, telling them how much you love or admire them, or thanking them for being in your life. Having a letter like this arrive in its physical form means it can be cherished forever by the recipient – better not make any spelling mistakes, hey!
If you got to the bottom of this article and you’re still not convinced, then check out these 5 IDEAL reasons why random acts of kindness are so important.