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RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY IS RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY 2024 ; A DAY TO CELEBRATE KINDNESS AND THE WHOLE PAY-IT-FORWARD MENTALITY , ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SPREAD LOVE , COMPASSION AND POSITIVITY THROUGH SMALL , UNEXPECTED ACTS OF KINDNESS .
If the idea of that doesn ’ t warm your cockles on a crisp winter ’ s day , then we ’ re not sure what will – and before you dismiss your ability to take part , perhaps thinking you need bags of time or money to fulfil your goodwill quotient , think again . As small as offering a passing compliment to a stranger or sending a message of appreciation to a friend to remind them of your love and support , a simple act of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity , harnessing the power of compassion to make the world a better place through thoughtful action .
Romanticism aside , did you know there ’ s scientifically proven benefits of being kind ? Studies have shown that performing just one random act of kindness a day not only reduces anxiety , stress and depression , but also floods your body with the same hormones that make both you and the person you ’ ve been caring towards calmer , healthier and happier . The powerhouse trio of hormones released when we ’ re kind to others are serotonin , the wondrous happy hormone that plays a key role in important body functions such as mood , sleep , digestion , wound healing , bone health and sexual desire ; endorphins , which alleviate pain , lower stress , improve mood , and enhance our overall sense of wellbeing ; and oxytocin – known as the ‘ love hormone ’ or ‘ cuddle chemical ’ - which reduces blood pressure and makes us feel more loving and loved .
In fact , there ’ s a plethora of positive ways in which kindness benefits our lives . Over half of participants in one study reported that they feel stronger and more energetic after helping others , with many reporting that they feel calmer and less depressed , with increased feelings of self-worth . Additionally , Christine Carter , the author of bestselling book Raising Happiness ; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents , discovered that people who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains because giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease . Her staggering research showed that people aged 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organisations had an impressive 44 % lower likelihood of dying early , and that ’ s after removing every other contributing factor including physical health , exercise , gender , smoking , marital status and many more , which is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week !
This all sounds like a pretty good deal to us , so consider doing something kind for someone this month – in fact , why not consider doing something kind for someone every day this year , so that it becomes a habit ? Make that telephone call to the person that you ’ ve been promising to ring . Visit a relative . Buy a coffee for the person behind you in the queue . Donate to charity . If you live with someone and you ’ re not the one who routinely cooks or cleans , get cooking , hoover throughout the home , take the dog out for a walk , or stick a wash on so they can put their feet up . Smile at the next person who serves you in a shop and thank them for their help ; even better , ask how they are - and mean it .
When sharing kindness , it ’ s as important to remember that this isn ’ t just about how you treat other people — it ’ s also about how you extend those same behaviours and intentions to yourself . People are generally excellent at verbally beating themselves up , which is never an effective pep talk . Instead , negativity can cause us to unravel , creating a vicious cycle . Practice the ‘ good friend rule ’ - if you wouldn ’ t say it to or about your good friend , don ’ t say it to or about yourself .
To make it easier to practise random acts of kindness , and for a little local inspiration , we ’ ve had a look at the ways in which compassion and care towards others can be shown in Kent .
Support food banks . Food banks rely on the generosity of others , particularly at the moment with heating and food costs being so high , and you can donate much-needed items , or time to help support the work they do . Folkestone Rainbow Centre ( rainbowcentre . org ) are often looking for help , and the Trussell Trust website will give you a full list of food banks across the county at trusselltrust . org / get-help / find-a-foodbank .
Become a befriender . Become a befriender and help older people avoid loneliness and isolation . Volunteers are matched with older people and it ’ s a great way to make new friends and offer valuable support . For those with less time , telephone befriending is also available . Kent County Council can point you in the right direction at kent . gov . uk / education-and-children / children-in-care / befriending .
Conserve the county . The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership work alongside the local community to protect and enhance the wild spaces of southeast Kent so they can thrive as sustainable havens for wildlife . Find out how you can get involved from as much as becoming a volunteer river ranger to as little as spreading the word at whitecliffscountryside . org . uk .
Declutter and donate . Make time to have a sort out and rehome those items you no longer use or need and donate them to your local charity shop ( they may even collect larger items ); one person ’ s trash is another person ’ s treasure after all . The Heart of Kent Hospice shops are entirely volunteer run and always grateful for donations ; find your local branch at hokh . org / support-us / support-our-shops .
Not only is kindness teachable - people can actually build up their compassion ‘ muscle ’ and respond more regularly to others with care and a desire to help – it ’ s also contagious . When the positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act , it improves their mood and makes them far more likely to pay it forward , meaning one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people . So , let ’ s do this Kent – today , tomorrow and every day after that . Oh , and by the way , you have a beautiful smile .
www . insidekent . co . uk • 27