#MakeKindnessTheNorm: Some fun ideas to help you mark and celebrate Random Acts of Kindness day

by Antonia-Rita Farfarelou

Sometimes we all need a little pick-me-up to brighten our day. On February 17, the world celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Day (RAK Day), and it is the perfect opportunity to spread smiles at what is still a very difficult time for many of our fellow human beings all over the world. 

How it all started

The awareness day has been celebrated since 1995. It was created by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, which is based in Denver, Colorado and which describes itself as a small non-profit that invests time, expertise and resources into its mission - 'Make Kindness the Norm'. The Foundation states that RAK Day was created during a summer of violence, when a reporter noted that people should stop reporting on 'random acts of violence' and start 'practising random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty'.

The goal is to encourage people to take part in a random act of kindness, be it big or small and increase the amount of goodness we can put into the world.

There are currently 42,119 ‘RAKtivists’ from 89 different countries, who have all signed up to become world changers and you can join this global community of  kindness ambassadors by applying to become a RAKtivist on the Foundation's website.

Random Acts of
Kindness Foundation

The science of kindness

According to the  Foundation, kindness can be taught and people can connect through kindness. There are also scientifically proven benefits of being kind, as  doing just one random act of kindness today not only reduces stress, anxiety, pain depression and blood pressure but also floods the body with the same hormones that make both the  the helper and the person helped calmer, healthier and happier. 

Need some inspiration?

Want to get involved in RAK Day but don't know where to start? Remember- no act of kindness is too small and your random act of kindness can be anything that you feel comfortable with. Here are a few ideas to get you started and help you lift the spirits of someone your know or even a stranger: 

  • Order someone a surprise bunch of flowers, cookies or present bought online
  • Hide a sweet note around the house for someone you live with
  • Smile to a stranger or let them go in front of you in a queue
  • Tell someone the positive impact they had on your life
  • Text someone to let them know you are thinking about them
  • Pay for someone’s food behind you in a queue
  • Cook dinner or bake a surprise for loved ones
  • Help with a household chore
  • Donate to a charity or food bank
  • Praise a colleague for something they’ve done well
  • Offer to help vulnerable neighbours
  • Be kind to someone working in hospitality
  • Plant a tree
  • Start a fund-raiser to raise money for a charity you support
  • Go to your favourite spot- make some time for yourself 
  • Donate used books to a library-give the gift or literacy
  • Leave a generous tip and be kind to your server
  • Hold the door or elevator open for someone
  • Give someone a compliment
  • Bring a treat for your co-workers

Canva Images

 

The RAK Foundation has lists of many more kindness ideas and if you become a RAKtivist, you'll receive a monthly kindness challenge designed to help a worthy cause or individual.

 

I hope I have inspired you to put a spring in someone's step today and remember:

any kindness you give to others is also a gift to yourself!

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