Create a Chain of Kindness

Looking to give back to your community, the planet, or yourself? Random acts of kindness can go a long way when it comes to how you and the people around you are feeling. Read more about some simple acts that you can do to brighten up your week!

Kindness comes in all shapes and forms. Receiving acts of kindness when we’re least expecting it — a wave from a neighbor or a stranger paying for your coffee — and we believe in humanity just a little bit more. Remember that being kind is cool, so let’s work together to be kind to each other, the planet, and ourselves starting today. Here’s a starter list of some easy and tangible ways to reach out to the world and the people around you in thoughtful manner. By doing even just one of these actions, you can improve your very own health and headspace.

When it comes to thinking about your overall wellbeing, it’s found that doing random acts of kindness can release both dopamine and serotonin inside your brain. These acts don’t need to be over the top, but rather intentional. Whether it’s for a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or someone random you cross paths with, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll be grateful for whatever sprinkle of kindness you have added to their life. And although these acts may seem small they have the potential to make someone’s day, or even week!

These random acts can be contagious. The perfect example of this is when you decide to buy a coffee for the person behind you in line. The person receiving this may be taken aback at first, but then may choose to pay the kindness forward by treating the person behind them to a drink as well. Create a chain of random acts of kindness… what could be better?!

A few other examples of random acts of kindness that we could think of include:

Be Kind to a Friend:

• Call someone you haven’t contacted in over a month
• Write a positive note put it on their desk, send it by mail, or text it to them
• Compliment someone for something other than their appearance
• Find a song that reminds you of them and pass it on to them
• Buy a gift card for someone (give the gift of healthy food with a Thistle gift card)
• Dig up a funny, meaningful, or silly old photo together and call them to reminisce
• Celebrate a small victory with a treat, flowers, or even champagne

Be Kind to a Stranger:

• Bring any extra produce, cans, or meals you have to a local food bank or shelter
• Write a kind note on the back of your receipt for the waiter/waitress
• Leave to-go snacks and a message of gratitude for your delivery people
• Give another driver the desired parking spot in a crowded parking lot

Be Kind to the Earth:

• Plant a flower, a tree, or vegetable
• Buy from a second-hand clothing store
• Ride your bike or walk somewhere you would usually drive
• Compost your food scraps
• Eat plant-based for a day

Be Kind to Yourself:

• Spend some time at your favorite location (bookstore, lookout point, etc.)
• Get your body moving through going for a walk or dance around your kitchen
• Enjoy a favorite dessert or beverage
• Read more self-care tips on out blog
  

If you find yourself stuck trying to decide on which actions to try or do, you can download a free calendar that gives you a random act to do each day here. Create some goals or even highlight the acts you wish to complete throughout the month. After this, note which ones positively impact your headspace and how you feel. There is such wide range of what being kind to others and yourself looks like, so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box or just keep it simple!

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