by Vanessa Santos
Yes! There is in fact a Random Act of Kindness Day. Don’t believe me? Here’s a website to prove it. This is a day where we celebrate the idea of being kind to another individual or thing for the sake of being kind. You know, just because.
Now, you’re probably thinking, why should I be kind? I mean other than it’s the right thing to do and it’ll make our world a lot more livable? Being kind to another person or animal or living thing has been scientifically proven to be good for you. Apparently, it releases chemicals that make you feel good and reduces feelings of anxiety. Depression become less likely to occur and it increases life satisfaction. What more could you want?
According to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, witnessing a kind act releases oxytocin which helps lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Not only that, but kindness is something that is contagious. Meaning that if you perform an act of kindness someone else will do it as well, creating this cycle of people being kind and thoughtful of others.
Get this…you can also increase your lifespan by being kind and doing things like charity work. According to the website, “People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more.”
And aside from all of the “me” benefits, being kind helps another being that isn’t you. Isn’t that rewarding enough? Remember that, by default, you are a part of this world and that means everything you do or fail to do affects the world we live in.
If you want to learn more about Random Acts of Kindness Day or get ideas about how to act, check out the following resources:
McMahon, Darrin M. Happiness: A History. Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006.
Call number: 170 M227 2005
Schulman, Michael. Bringing Up a Moral Child : A New Approach For Teaching Your Child to Be Kind, Just, and Responsible. Addison-Wesley, 1985.
Call number: 649.7 Sch81b
Durand, Leo Henry. The Psychology of Happiness. Merit Press, 1968.
Call number: 150 D931p
Rice, Judith. The Kindness Curriculum : Stop Bullying Before It Starts. St. Paul, Minn: Redleaf Press, 2013. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
Sansonetti, Robert, Nancy McKinnon, and Rebekkah Hogsett. "Someone Cares." Guideposts 71.11 (2017): 8. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
Balfour, Amy C. "Kindness Of Strangers." Sierra 101.4 (2016): 15. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
Dimerman, Sara. "How Small Acts Of Kindness Can Go a Long Way." Maclean's 129.40 (2016): 69. Business Source Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
According to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, witnessing a kind act releases oxytocin which helps lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Not only that, but kindness is something that is contagious. Meaning that if you perform an act of kindness someone else will do it as well, creating this cycle of people being kind and thoughtful of others.
Get this…you can also increase your lifespan by being kind and doing things like charity work. According to the website, “People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more.”
And aside from all of the “me” benefits, being kind helps another being that isn’t you. Isn’t that rewarding enough? Remember that, by default, you are a part of this world and that means everything you do or fail to do affects the world we live in.
If you want to learn more about Random Acts of Kindness Day or get ideas about how to act, check out the following resources:
McMahon, Darrin M. Happiness: A History. Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006.
Call number: 170 M227 2005
Schulman, Michael. Bringing Up a Moral Child : A New Approach For Teaching Your Child to Be Kind, Just, and Responsible. Addison-Wesley, 1985.
Call number: 649.7 Sch81b
Durand, Leo Henry. The Psychology of Happiness. Merit Press, 1968.
Call number: 150 D931p
Rice, Judith. The Kindness Curriculum : Stop Bullying Before It Starts. St. Paul, Minn: Redleaf Press, 2013. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
Sansonetti, Robert, Nancy McKinnon, and Rebekkah Hogsett. "Someone Cares." Guideposts 71.11 (2017): 8. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
Balfour, Amy C. "Kindness Of Strangers." Sierra 101.4 (2016): 15. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
Dimerman, Sara. "How Small Acts Of Kindness Can Go a Long Way." Maclean's 129.40 (2016): 69. Business Source Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
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