‘The smallest Act of Kindness is worth more than the grandest intentions’ – Oscar Wilde

A few of months ago my mum and I had just arrived to the airport ready for our trip to Sydney. We were dropped off out the front whilst my husband parked the car, we started pulling along all the luggage and of course I had Luca in my arms. It was a struggle! A man that was standing out the front that was in charge of the drop off lane began walking towards us. He said “Hi, wait here for a minute”, he walked off and returned with a trolley for us, lifted all our luggage into the trolley made sure we were ok and then went on his merry way. My mum and I looked at each other and thought ‘Wow! How lovely was that!’.

A small Act of Kindness such as that goes a long way and to be honest we were both touched by the thoughtfulness! Numerous studies have established the positive effects that Random Acts of Kindness have on happiness as well as emotional and psychological wellbeing.

A study published in the journal of Clinical Psychological Science found that when participants performed regular Acts of Kindness throughout their day, they were less likely to report negative emotions when faced with stress. Not only are they less likely to report negative emotions, they were also able to maintain their positive emotions. Interestingly enough when the participants were unable able to perform Acts of kindness on some days they actually reported a decrease in positive emotions in response to those stressors they were faced with.

The results of this study indicated that Acts of Kindness can not only be seen as a generous and kind act but also used as a form of stress management. Study Author Emily Ansell stated “Our research shows that when we help others we also help ourselves”. We often turn to others during times of stress whether it be family, friends or a colleague. This study alongside many suggests that by performing a simple act of kindness towards someone, will not only make their day but also make YOU feel good as a result.  So I guess its a bit of a Win/Win situation isn’t it?

What can you do to perform a Random Act of Kindness?

There are SO many different things you can do, they don’t have to BIG or COSTLY things just be creative! I have included some examples below:

1. Open the door for someone
2. Find the opportunity to pay someone a compliment (we often think compliments and rarely actually say them out loud to the person, such an easy gesture that doesn’t even cost anything either!)
3. Pay for the persons coffee behind you.
4. Call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to for a while just to say hello.
5. Place a surprise note in your partner or kids lunch box.
6. Cook a meal and take over to a family/friend who has just come out of hospital, feeling sick or just had a baby.
7. Be kind to YOURSELF and do something nice for you!
8. Donate your unwanted items to a charity or someone you know that is in need.
9. Remember a different persons name in the office each day and mention their name when you are speaking to them.
10. Buy a small gift for someone, just because!

Pick one of these or be creative and create an idea of your own and start tomorrow, actually why not today.. oh just start NOW!! You never know what battles people are facing, a small gesture like this may just put a smile on their face.