Most of us are dealing with the cold, harsh aspects of winter. Tons of snow, sheets of ice, and bitter temperatures. This time of year affects everyone differently. Some people suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder); all we want to do is cozy up in our homes and watch a movie or TV, work on a hobby, or even sleep. This is the perfect time to do a random act of kindness for someone and bring warmth and brightness to their day.
The Heart of February: Celebrating Kindness Month
When we think of February, we immediately think of romance and Valentine’s Day. But February is a time to celebrate kindness because it’s National Kindness Month.
February as a Month of Love: More Than Just Valentine’s Day
February is a great month to show love in all forms. I think Valentine’s Day needs to be about more than just romance. Love comes in all forms. We love our friends, family, pets, and other important people in our lives.
Spend Galentine’s Day (February 13th) with your girlfriends and go out to dinner or hang out together. Take some time to show your family how much you love them. Buy a bunch of treats, toys, or other essentials for your furry friends. Tell your friends how much you love and appreciate them. If you love someone this month, let them know.
Small Gestures, Big Impact: The Science Behind Random Acts of Kindness
A simple act of kindness holds transformative power for both the giver and the receiver. Why is this?
● The Feel-Good Factor: When someone does a random act of kindness, both the giver and receiver experience a surge of positive emotions. This is mainly because of neurotransmitters, like oxytocin, which is the ‘love hormone’, and dopamine, which triggers feelings of pleasure and reward. Those who regularly take part in random acts of kindness are happier and more satisfied with life.
● The Ripple Effect-Kindness operates in a cycle known as the ‘kindness contagion’. When someone experiences kindness, they are more likely to pay it forward.
10 Simple Acts of Kindness to Brighten Someone’s February
Kindness doesn’t have to be a big, grand gesture. Even the most minor things can make a difference. Here are ten simple acts of kindness you can do to brighten someone’s day.
● Write a genuine love note to someone. This could be your spouse, a friend, or your child, and put it somewhere they will find it.
● Share a hot drink. Keep insulated to-go cups with lids at home and make a cup of hot chocolate or coffee for your mail carrier or the delivery driver when they drop off your package.
● Remove snow. Shovel or snow-blow your neighbor's sidewalk or driveway. Your elderly neighbors will be beyond appreciative.
● Hand out gift cards. Buy a few gift cards and put whatever amount you can afford on them. As you’re shopping, keep an eye out for people who may need help and bless them with a gift card. You can also do this with gift cards you don’t want. Your barista would probably love that massage gift card you won't use.
● Offer a compliment. Compliment your spouse, boss, coworker, child, etc.
● Provide transportation. Take your neighbor to their appointments, shopping, or anywhere else they need to go.
● Donate Books. This is a great time to take an inventory of your bookshelf and donate books to organizations that provide books for those who don’t have access.
● Buy a homeless person a meal.
● Share your skills. Teach a friend how to make their favorite meal. Show your child how to make or do something. Volunteer somewhere and use your skills.
● Volunteer at an animal shelter or cat cafe. The animals will love all the extra attention.
Community Spotlight: Stories of Kindness in Action
Here are some examples of kindness in action from my area and other places I have lived.
Our local cat cafe, Catfeine Cat Cafe, is an incredible story of kindness. They partner with local rescues to find homes for cats, help community members find resources for stray cats, and have started their own rescue group. Catfeine also has trivia nights, yoga nights, and other events to help support the cats at the cafe.
There is also a group of people in the area who own Jeeps, and every winter, they take essential workers to and from work who can’t get there otherwise.
Another great example of kindness is The Book Rack in Peoria, IL. The owner of The Book Rack has an enormous heart and is always doing something for the community, such as building little libraries around the area, collecting and donating books to underprivileged children, and hosting events for local authors.
The Ripple Effect: How One Act Can Inspire Others
The ripple effect is an action that inspires a chain reaction of further actions, like when a stone is thrown into a pond, sending out concentric circles. Therefore, an act of kindness or bravery can inspire others to respond in kind, impacting future interactions within communities.
To understand how the ripple effect works, we need to understand what influences it.
● Social Proof: People look to others for cues on how to behave. When one person acts positively in a group, it may inspire others.
● Empathy and Emotion: Witnessing random acts of kindness can bring forth powerful emotions. When someone sees a charity event, the empathetic emotions they feel may prompt them to contribute, which expands the circle of positive action.
● Role Modeling: People imitate the behavior of people they admire. When a teacher models kindness, honesty, and integrity in her classroom, it can motivate her students to do the same.
● Reciprocity: When someone does something for another person, they naturally feel like they have to reciprocate.
Incorporating Kindness Into Your Daily Routine
There are many ways you can incorporate kindness into your daily routine.
● Compliment your spouse and kids before they go to work and school.
● Write a love note to your spouse and put it in their lunchbox.
● Get coffee for your coworker.
● Help your coworker with a project or an important task.
● Thank your child’s teacher for all they do.
● Open the door for someone if they have their hands full.
● Put extra money in the parking meter that’s going to run out.
● Smile at a stranger.
● Compliment a stranger
● Let someone go in front of you in line.
● Thank your barista, cashier, hairdresser, etc, for their hard work.
● If you’re home during the day, check on your neighbor’s pets or walk the dog if they are running late.
Social Media and Kindness: Spreading Love Digitally
Social media can be a dark place because people feel like they can say or do anything they want. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some ways to spread love digitally.
● Highlight acts of kindness. Social media is full of good kindness stories, so when you come across one, share it.
● Support charities and causes. Organizations and individuals can use social media to support charitable causes. Campaigns can spark viral moments, encourage people to donate, volunteer, or take part in community service days.
● Create safe spaces for discussion. Create or join a safe online space where people can honestly discuss their feelings and thoughts.
● Viral kindness challenges. We’ve all seen viral challenges over the years, like the Ice Bucket Challenge. These challenges incentivize users to adopt a positive action, creating a sense of community and collective goodwill.
Committing to a Year-Round Practice of Kindness
Kindness isn’t something we only have to practice around the holidays. Practicing kindness can lead to improved mental health, less stress, and increased happiness. Commit to a year-round practice of kindness by setting goals, having monthly themes, and taking part in social events. Your life and the lives of the person or people you help will be much richer for it.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Jeff Greenough
