Random Acts of Kindness Day

A healthy heart for a healthy mind.

Written by Brandi McMurry

Photo by Adam Nemeroff

“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” Morgan Freeman.

February 17th is Random Act of Kindness Day.

Random acts of kindness are nourishing for the mind, body, and soul. The act of giving without expecting anything in return can be therapeutic for your emotional and physical health.

According to Steve Siegle, a licensed professional counselor in behavioral health, kindness can positively affect your mental health by lowering depression and anxiety by decreasing cortisol levels.

In an article published by the Mayo Clinic, “It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone, which directly impacts stress levels.”

A generous act without expecting anything in return can increase self-esteem, put you in a better mood, and enhance interpersonal relationships.

Siegle also explains that random acts of kindness signal a release of serotonin; the feel-good chemical that helps you feel happy. Dopamine and endorphins are also dispersed through positive actions. An endorphin rush can help with physical pain as well as mood.

Not only is it important to be kind toward our loved ones and strangers, but we must also be consciously kind to ourselves. Self-love and forgiveness are essential parts of self-care that become easily overlooked in a world of, “how may I help you?”

So as you reflect on your acts of random kindness celebrated today, make sure you take note of how kind you are being to yourself. Take your seed, plant it, and watch it grow.

Namaste.

Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash