10 simple random act of kindness ideas to bring some extra joy to the world
There’s no doubt about it – 2020 has been hard.
With COVID-19 lockdowns, travel restrictions, and bans, it seems like the fun was sucked out of the world in an instant. In some cities, it’s even hard to travel across town to grab a coffee with friends!
I think we can all agree we need to spread a little love right now (instead of the virus). So, I’ve collected some of my favourite random act of kindness ideas, so this holiday season you can bring happiness to the people in your life – while giving yourself a little mental health booster, too.
Read on!
Idea #1: Give someone an unexpected compliment
“I can live for two months on a good compliment.” — Mark Twain
I couldn’t have said it better myself. The benefits of giving a compliment go both ways – giving and receiving! The National Institute for Physiological Sciences says receiving a compliment can produce the same effect in your brain as receiving money.
Think overwhelming happiness, gratitude, excitement, and unconditional love!
It’s good for the soul and builds trust and confidence in the receiver. It’s a win-win situation – so next time a positive thought comes to mind about a friend, coworker, family member, or even a stranger on the street, reach out and let them know!
Idea #2: Let someone cut in front of you in line
We can all be a little selfish sometimes. Whether we’re sitting in traffic or waiting in line at the shops, we can be quick to lose our tempers and put ourselves first, no questions asked.
Sometimes, a random act of kindness can be as simple as letting someone cut in front of you in line at the movies, the shops, the bar – anywhere.
The receiver will feel a sudden sense of gratitude – who knows, you might even make their day, or help them get where they’re going much faster. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the endorphins that come from a simple act of kindness (a natural pain killer – goodbye, headaches.)
Idea #3: Pay for someone else’s lunch or coffee
In the same vein as idea #2, footing the bill for a friend, family member, coworker, or even a stranger’s lunch can be incredibly rewarding.
You never know what someone else is going through. The stranger waiting in line behind you might only be able to afford a bran muffin, or a coffee… no milk, no sugar. If you’re feeling generous, consider footing the bill for the person behind you.
You might make their day, or even trigger a “pay it forward” chain reaction and leave a trail of kindness behind you.
Idea #4: Sit down and have a chat with someone experiencing homelessness
According to recent statistics, 50 out of every 10,000 Australians are sleeping rough on the streets. The last time a global homelessness survey was attempted by the United Nations, around 100 million people were homeless worldwide.
As many as 1.6 billion people lacked adequate housing. This was 2005 – there’s no knowing the true numbers now.
We all get caught up in our own lives. We also get distracted by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, running to-and-fro to get things done. Sometimes, unfortunately, this can make us forget or avoid people experiencing homelessness in the streets.
“I don’t think people do it on purpose – it could be that they don’t know what to say; it could be that we are desensitised,” Major Bruce Harmer of Sydney’s Salvation Army said.
“People who find themselves on the street need our love, our care and attention. I’ve heard people say, ‘If it wasn’t for that person saying good morning to me today, it was going to be my last day’.”
A small act of kindness can be as simple as getting down on their level, saying hello, and having a decent conversation with them. Standing over someone sleeping rough can be condescending, even daunting – sit down and open up a dialogue with this person.
It could make their day – and before asking if they’d like some food, make sure it’s what they want, or what they’re comfortable with. They may not react well to charity.
Idea #5: Pay for a parking ticket and leave it in the machine for the next person
Paying for parking can be such a chore – especially in big cities where the parking prices are sky high. If you’re looking for a fun and simple random act of kindness idea, pay for a parking ticket and leave it in the machine for the next person.
An all day ticket is even better. The receiver will be stoked to have free parking, even for a day. It could be $10, $20, even $30 saved for more exciting things.
Idea #6: Donate gifts to a local charity for kids in need
Your local charity is always looking for donations – clothes, homewares, shoes, and of course, gifts for the holiday season. The great part about this activity is that decluttering is good for the soul too!
Alternatively, you could reach into your pockets this holiday season and fill up a “Santa Sack” with lots of toys, fun activities, and “one size fits all” clothing items for kids, like fun hats and costumes. You’ll bring joy to children.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on gifts, either. Just look for fun, cost effective toys for kids – even classics like a barrel of monkeys, or a board game like “Guess Who” or Scrabble. Alternatively, dig through your belongings and look for fun toys and activities you don’t need anymore.
Idea #7: Show your gratitude to a teacher or role model by giving them a gift
Gratitude has a number of social and health benefits. Robert Emmonds, a renowned gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the topic of gratitude and found grateful people are happier and have reduced levels of depression.
Plus, gratitude can improve your sleep, reduce the number of doctor’s appointments and illnesses, and reduce your aggression levels, making you an easier person to befriend and be around.
If you’re looking for ways to express your gratitude, consider making or purchasing a gift for a friend, teacher, tutor, or role model. You will feel accomplished and kind, while sharing the good feelings with the receiver of your gift.
Gift away – and watch the health benefits roll in.
For more on practicing gratitude, read: Practicing Gratitude: Why and How You Should do it
Idea #8: Offer to help the elderly to carry their groceries
Volunteering to help someone in need can be extremely rewarding. In fact, volunteering time and helping others has been scientifically proven to increase your own wellbeing, as well as the person you’re helping. It can help combat depression, increase confidence, and create a stronger sense of self and purpose!
You don’t have to volunteer heaps of time to experience the benefits of volunteering, though. It can be as simple as helping an older member of the community to carry their groceries to their car, or help them onto the bus.
It takes two seconds to lend a hand. Next time you see an elderly person struggling with their shopping bags, consider asking them if they need assistance. You’d be surprised how easily you can make another person’s day.
Idea #9: Reach out to friends and family members who seem a little down
Depression doesn’t discriminate. Men and women, teens and children, rich and the poor – depression and mental illness can impact anyone in our community.
Unfortunately, it’s also very common for people to hide their depression and put on a brave face – this is called “concealed depression”, but the symptoms are there – a lack of sleep or appetite, no interest in hobbies or activities, and going out of their way to convince everyone they’re “feeling fine”.
“Concealed depression is sometimes called ‘smiling depression’ because the sufferer seems fine,” Sally Winston, PsyD, a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, said.
“They go about their lives fulfilling their responsibilities, interacting apparently normally, and do not complain or share with others how they are feeling. They may be so used to being silently depressed that it is just experienced as ‘this is just the way I am; I am just a loser’ or ‘this is the way life is’ rather than ‘I am depressed.'”
If you have a feeling one of your friends or family members might be struggling, a simple act of kindness could be to reach out and offer to take them out for a coffee or a walk in the park for some fresh air. Give them the chance to share their thoughts and feelings, and encourage them to get the help they need to recover.
Be someone’s rock for a day, and make sure to follow up on their feelings and progress as time goes on.
Idea #10: Donate time, flowers & nick-knacks to a nursing home
This might be less of a random act of kindness idea, but a simple and rewarding activity nonetheless. According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Americans over the age of 60 who volunteer have higher levels of well-being compared to those who did not volunteer.
Nursing homes are always looking for volunteers to spend time with the residents. Consider volunteering at your local nursing home – host bingo and art lessons, baking sessions, or set up an in-home cinema. Alternatively, donate a stack of flowers and bouquets to bring nature to the resident’s rooms, or surprise them with gifts.
These little acts of kindness can help reduce age-related depression and loneliness, while you bridge the gap between generations, learn new things, and improve your own mental health.