10 Random Acts Of Kindness For Better Mental Health

Kindness means more than being nice. It means being helpful, generous, or selfless. And for those struggling with mental health issues or addiction, one simple act of kindness can make a huge difference in their day.

Whether you’re performing the act or receiving it, small acts of kindness can change your whole outlook on life. It can also be a great form of self-care.

Some of the benefits of random acts of kindness include increased self-esteem, improved overall health, lower stress levels, and improved social skills. 

On February 17th, it’s Random Acts of Kindness Day, and we’ve come up with 10 random acts of kindness you can do for better mental health.

1. Allow Someone To Go Ahead Of You In Line

Whether it’s at the grocery store, at the post office, or in a line of traffic, you can let someone with fewer groceries or who is running late go ahead of you. It’s an easy way to do something nice for someone and it doesn’t cost you anything. 

2. Buy Groceries & Donate Them To A Food Pantry

If you can afford to do so, pick up some extra non-perishable items while you’re at the grocery store and take them to your local food pantry. If they do take fresh produce, donate that as well. 

You’ll get a boost of dopamine and serotonin from helping and others will give those less fortunate the food they may need.

3. Post Anonymous Notes For People To Find

If you’re looking for a truly random act of kindness, make sure you have some post-it notes with you at all times. 

When you’re in a public restroom or even at a friend’s house, you can write a short motivational message and stick it to a mirror or a door for someone to find. It’s sure to make their day.

4. Bake Something For Work

Whether you love baking or can barely make a cake mix, bringing baked goods to work is a great way to show some kindness to your co-workers. 

It doesn’t matter whether it’s homemade or store-bought, having a sweet treat to break up a long workday can change someone’s whole outlook. It’s very difficult to be upset when eating cake or cookies.

5. Reach Out To A Loved One

If you know a loved one is struggling or you simply haven’t talked to a friend or family member in a while, why not reach out to them today? 

Whether it’s to simply catch up, give them some encouraging words, provide a listening ear, or plan to get together, reaching out to a loved one is a great way to connect with someone and can make both of you feel good.

6. Help A Neighbor With Their Yard Or Driveway

If you want to do something special for your neighbor, why not mow their lawn or shovel out their driveway after it snows? 

It’s a great way to show your appreciation for their friendship. Whatever your reason, doing a chore for a friend can take some weight off their shoulders and you get the benefits to your mental health and overall well-being.

7. Compliment Someone

This is by far the easiest random act of kindness. Whether you’re complimenting a stranger’s outfit or telling your close friend how much you like their new shoes, just a few words can go a long way to make them smile and make their day a little better. 

And, your compliment may lead them to compliment someone else and the act may end up reaching more people than you ever imagined.

8. Lend Someone Your Umbrella

Try carrying an extra umbrella with you in your car or purse. When it’s raining and you see someone without an umbrella, give them one of yours. It’s bound to make their day a little better. 

Who wants to walk around damp all day because they got caught in the rain? An umbrella from a stranger is sure to turn a bad day into a good one.

9. Pay A Toll/Pay For An Order

If you have some extra change for a toll, try paying for the person behind you. Or, if you have a few dollars for someone’s coffee or fast food order, why not pay for their meal with yours? It’s a relatively easy way to show someone some kindness anonymously.

10. Leave A Big Tip For A Server

Since servers often survive on tips alone, a great random act of kindness is to leave them a big tip. As long as you can afford it, it’s sure to make their day better. They may even use it to give back to someone else. 

One random act of kindness often leads to a domino effect of many more.

If you or a loved one live with addiction, Ohio Recovery Center is here for you. We offer a variety of addiction treatment programs, including detox, inpatient drug rehab, medication-assisted treatment, and aftercare support.

For more information, please call our helpline today.