Five Ways Random Acts of Kindness Can Improve Your Well-Being
Published: February 17, 2025
Think about the last time a stranger complimented you, or a friend gave you an unexpected gift just because. Did it make you feel appreciated? Maybe it inspired you to do something nice for others. If you did pay it forward, you know that kindness can have an equally positive impact on the giver.
Research shows that kindness gives us more than just a rewarding feeling — it produces benefits you may not even realize. In honor of Random Acts of Kindness Week, here are five ways that practicing kindness is good for our minds and bodies.
- Reduced stress: Studies suggest perpetually kind people have up to 23 percent less cortisol, the hormone that causes stress.
- Improved brain health: Generosity produces serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters that produce feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Kindness can also release endorphins, which helps relieve pain.
- Longer lifespans: According to the Mayo Clinic, generous people tend to be healthier and, yes, even live longer.
- Lowered blood pressure: Experts say practicing kindness releases oxytocin, sometimes called the love hormone, which lowers blood pressure and makes us feel friendlier and more trusting.
- Better relationships: Kindness can make you feel more connected to those around you, helping to decrease loneliness and help you see the world with a more positive perspective.
As you set out to spread kindness this week, check out these ideas from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation’s website for inspiration.
- Donate a gently used book to your local library or a little library on the street.
- Cook a meal for a loved one who needs a helping hand.
- Leave a generous tip for someone in the service industry.
- Spend quality time with a child in your life, such as playing a game or going for a walk.
- Take a friend to your favorite place.
- Ship a care package to a loved one who may be separated from family and friends.
- Call up a friend and share a favorite memory with them.
- Shower a local business with praise online.
While these ideas can help get you started, there are plenty of other ways to be kind. Don’t be afraid to get creative – after all, you know the people in your life best. Go brighten someone’s day!
Lastly, an important way you can be kind to yourself is by regularly evaluating your gambling habits. Pause Before You Play offers resources to help you learn about responsible gambling, recognize warning signs of betting-related harms, and gauge your risk level for a gambling disorder.
And if you or someone you know is experiencing betting-related harms, don’t hesitate to call the free and confidential National Problem Gambling Helpline. Qualified local specialists are standing by 24/7 to take your call, with no commitments involved. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or text 4HOPE to 741741.