On November 13th, World Kindness Day reminds us there are many ways to spread some cheer. Kindness does not require money, a college degree, or even a lot of time. If you make it a part of your daily habits, it does not even require a lot of effort. Here are some tips to get you started!
Let someone into traffic. The commute stress can make or break our day. You never know what someone else is going through or where they are headed. Give someone a break and let them in! It may end up being the best part of their day.
Listen with your whole self. Set aside your phone. Face the person. Let them know you hear them. The act of listening says to others you matter.
Leave a happy note. I love leaving little notes for people. You don’t need to sign it, or even be there when they receive it. The point is to let them know that someone is thinking of them or appreciates what they do. My favorite way to do this is using Happy Notes.
Bring someone coffee. (or tea!) It’s a small treat. It may even be from the break room. If you can, find out how they like their coffee! If you aren’t sure, just grab some extra creamer and sweetener on the side.
SMILE! Did you know that smiles really are contagious? It’s the easiest, cheapest way to spread kindness and happiness. The Cleveland Clinic has documented many benefits to sending someone a smile, including reducing stress, strengthening our immune system and improving our mood. The amazing part is we can feel these benefits even when we don’t feel like smiling! So share that smile and spread the happiness!
As you spread the kindness, remember it doesn’t stop with one day. Take the #CaptureKindess photo challenge from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and share your results!
Jessica Dugan is dedicated to helping others improve resiliency and self-care. For more information about individual coaching, support groups or workshops, please contact her at owner@brightimpact.net.