Random Acts of Kindness Day: Simple Ways to Show Kindness to Others

National Random Acts of Kindness Day (RAK DAY) was founded on the belief that there’s no limit to the amount of good we can do to others. As with anything, two minds are better than one, so like so many other national days of awareness or action, our mental health facility in Florida is encouraging everyone to take part in this National Day of Kindness. Read on to learn the mental health benefits of kindness and simple ways of showing kindness to others.  

What and When Is Random Acts of Kindness Day?

Random Acts of Kindness Day 2022 is on Thursday, February 17^th. As you may have guessed, RAK DAY is a day to celebrate and encourage random acts of kindness. Similar to the concept of “paying it forward,” this day is designed to motivate people to show love to one another in practical and simple ways. 

Random Acts of Kindness Day was created in 1995 by a nonprofit organization called The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation in Denver, Colorado. The event eventually spread to New Zealand in 2004, after which the observance of the holiday became more widespread. 

This day was created in hopes of connecting people through kind or loving gestures. Kindness has created a trail of footprints throughout history, with prominent figures like Princess Diana, the Dalai Lama, and Mother Teresa paving the way. 

We often catch ourselves thinking, “People are so rude nowadays,” and “Why is everyone always in a rush?” If this sounds familiar, then you may also desire a world where gentleness, peace, and unity are more prevalent. 

Although it may not seem like much in the moment, even one small gesture of kindness can brighten up a person’s whole day or week. This could then encourage them to spread this kindness, creating a positive domino effect. 

What’s more, we never know what other people are going through. We can work with the same people for years and never know that their marriage might be struggling, or that they have a sick, elderly parent at home. With so much up in the air nowadays because of COVID-19, doing our part in being there for others in even the smallest ways can have a huge ripple effect. 

In the fashion of the saying, “Be the change you want to see,” Banyan Mental Health is encouraging our readers to participate in National Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17, 2022. 

Benefits of Kindness on Mental Health

Kindness is more than just behavior. Rather, it represents a spirit of helpfulness, generosity, consideration, and selflessness. With that said, for people who struggle with mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or schizophrenia, just one act of kindness can make a huge impact. 

Due to the general lack of knowledge and stigma surrounding mental health disorders of all kinds, people who are diagnosed with these conditions are often misunderstood and mistreated. Not only can a simple act of kindness add some positivity to their day or week, but it also does good for the person who is being kind as well. 

Some benefits of kindness on mental health include: 

• Increased self-esteem
• Increased empathy and compassion
• Improved mood
• Decreased blood pressure and cortisol levels (stress hormone)
• Increased sense of connectivity with others and promotion of unity
• Improved relationships and social skills
• Boosted serotonin and dopamine levels
• Satisfaction and well-being
• Improved self-respect and self-confidence 
• Self-awareness and accountability 

Ways to Show Kindness on Random Acts of Kindness Day

So, the only question left to ask is: how are you going to show kindness on this day? If you’re searching for some random acts of kindness day activities, below are some simple tips on how to show kindness to others on RAK DAY. 

• Pay for someone else’s meal in the drive-thrus
• Allow someone to go ahead of you in line
• Buy extra groceries and donate them to a food pantry
• Buy flowers for someone

• Help someone change a flat tire
• Post anonymous sticky notes with validating or uplifting messages for people to find
• Compliment a colleague on their work
• Leave anonymous gifts on a colleague's desk 
• Send someone an encouraging text message
• Take pastries to work
• Let someone go ahead of you in traffic
• Wash someone else's car
• Take a gift to a neighbor
• Pay the bus or subway fee for someone else

As a mental health program in Boca Raton, our specialists understand the impact of compassion and kindness on someone with depression or anxiety. Our team members strive to show each of our patients the patience, gentleness, and love they deserve, as they learn how to manage their symptoms. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health disorder, you don’t have to do it alone. Our PHP mental health program can assist you in your recovery from mental illness, and prepare you to manage your symptoms independently. 

For more information about our residential mental health program in Florida, call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763. 

Related Reading: Grounding Techniques for Panic Attacks "Words on Bathroom Walls”: What It Got Right and Wrong About Schizophrenia Famous People with Schizophrenia: History Edition