February 17th – Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day!

February 14, 2023

The idea behind Random Act of Kindness Day is to cultivate feelings of kindness and bring joy to someone’s day. Let your kindness overflow and celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day with us on February 17th!

Visit www.randomactsofkindness.org/rak-day for fun resources to celebrate RAK Week & RAK Day!

History of Random Acts of Kindness Day – February 17th

Random Acts of Kindness Day was initiated in 1995 in Denver, Colorado, by a nonprofit organization called The Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation. The event spread to New Zealand nine years later, in 2004, and the observance of the holiday became increasingly widespread. 

Random Acts of Kindness

A random act of kindness is defined as “a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger, for no reason other than to make people happier” (Wikipedia).

Kindness is more than behavior; it’s a quality of being. The art of kindness is harboring a spirit of generosity, being thoughtful and compassionate, and doing so without expecting anything in return.

Acts of kindness make the world a happier place. They may also encourage others to “pay it forward” and repeat the good deed of kindness they’ve experienced themselves!

The Role of Kindness in Recovery

Showing kindness towards others or oneself can actively heal emotional distress that may have led an individual to use substances in the first place.

Kindness helps those struggling in isolation with mental health symptoms or find comfort in places other than alcohol or drugs. Many people turn to alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate these troublesome emotions. One simple act of kindness from another person could encourage and motivate a person to seek help and a path of recovery.

Practice Kindness

Practicing kindness has also been found to impact someone’s likelihood of continued sobriety directly. And beginning to pass on that kindness by helping others with similar problems is very often a key to maintaining recovery. A study on the effects of volunteering focused on alcoholism and found that helping others doubles the likelihood of recovery from alcoholism in one year.

Scientific Benefits of Kindness

Good for the Mind

Physiologically, kindness positively changes your brain. When we show others kindness, our body releases various hormones, including serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins, that improve our health and overall well-being. Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine and causes the pleasure/reward centers in the brain to light up. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, are also released. The most minor acts of kindness can reduce anxiety and stress while increasing our energy and happiness!

Kindness increases a sense of connectivity with others, which can directly impact loneliness, improve mood, and enhance relationships. Looking for ways to show kindness can provide you with a healthy focus activity and a sense of purpose, especially if you tend to be anxious or stressed.

Good for the Body

Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy, and compassion and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. People who practice kindness also tend to be healthier and live longer. 

Kindness increases: 

  • Energy

  • Happiness

  • Lifespan

  • The love hormone

  • Pleasure

  • Optimism

  • The healing process

  • Calmness

  • Heart-health

  • Self-esteem

  • Empathy

  • A sense of connectivity

  • Reward areas in our brain

Kindness decreases:

  • Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Depression

  • Social avoidance

  • Pain

  • Blood pressure

  • Disease

  • Loneliness

  • Unresolved grief

  • Bullying

  • Hatred

  • Judgement

  • Conflict with others

Watch The Science of Kindness video to learn more:

How one act of kindness a day can change your life – TED Talk by Mark Kelly

Random kindness stuff I love:

Random Acts of Kindness Then & Now: The 20th Anniversary of a Simple Idea That Changes Lives (Stories of Kindness)

Be Kind: An essential gift with tips on how to improve happiness, health and positive thinking. Featuring Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby, Matt Haig and more

53Pcs Be Kind Stickers Pack, Inspirational Quote, Motivational Saying Aesthetic Decal | Vinyl Waterproof Kindness Stickers for Water Bottle, Laptop, Phone, Scrapbook, Journal Gifts for Kids Teens Adults

A Good Deck: Spread Joy: Choose joy with this high-quality deck of cards with 150 simple acts of kindness. 

SOBER SWEAT: Come sweat with Sober Curator Ashley Sunderland bringing the weekly pump to get you over the weekly hump. Quick workouts and nutrition tips that are too legit. (Too legit to quit!)

Living a sober lifestyle? Us too! Our goal is to help smash the stigma surrounding addiction, showing that sober is not boring, by providing positive content on living life to the fullest. The lifestyle section is a catch-all for all things sober living.

ENOUGH IS A FEAST covers healthy, and sometimes lazy recipes and mindful eating tips that align with your alcohol-free lifestyle.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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