Tomorrow kicks of Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week! February 11th to the 17th is an opportunity to educate others about the impact of kindness in our world and the small acts that can make a big difference! A whole week dedicated to getting out in the public and showing others just how easy it is to do a random act of kindness and also to witness it's amazing effects on others around them. Kindness shouldn't be taken lightly. It's so easy people forget that it is impactful. Holding the door, reaching out to a friend, giving a stranger a life when they are stranded. It's all of these and more and it's a missing link to making big changes in our world. Don't think it makes a difference? Let's look at the science!
The science
My 3 year old son makes a morning habit of telling his sister, "Be nice to your friends" before we drop him off at daycare. It turns out there is a scientific reaction to doing so that goes well beyond "just being nice". When you witness an act of kindness, it produces oxytocin, commonly referred to as the ‘love hormone’. This hormone aids in lowering blood pressure and improves our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re in anxious or shy in a social situation.
Witnessing acts of kindness or doing them also stimulates the production of serotonin. It can be found in many medical antidepressants. This feel-good chemical heals your wounds, calms you down, and makes you happy! Happy people spread happiness!
But think about. It's a chain reaction! You witness and feel good and turn around do good. Someone sees YOU do good and turns around and does good. The ripple effect is huge and impactful! Engaging in acts of kindness produces endorphins,the brain’s natural pain killer! Perpetually kind people have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population! Less stress, happy people, let's share that!
It starts with one
This campaign was started by RandomActsOfKindness.Org. They believe kindness really does start with one—one person, one act, one place, one city, one county, and one movement with one goal in mind: To make our world a kinder place one act at a time. And, every single one of us can play a part in this mission.
It's easy to think someone else will take care of this. It's easy to feel like you "don't have time to make a difference". But the truth is they may not, but you can. Take 5 minutes off scrolling your social feeds or mind wandering and commit to doing something for someone else.
Check out the calendar below created by RandomActsOfKindness.org that can help guide your month!
Tap Into A Local Event
It's important to educate yourself as well as connect with like-minded individuals! Coming up is a Networking Night Event hosted by Danielle Teal, of C.A.K.E. She will facilitate a discussion related to her personal experiences, inspiration and motivation driven by Caring Acts of Kindness Everywhere. With fun, and perhaps some interactive activities, we'll take a closer look at why kindness matters in the workplace, in our community, and in our volunteering with United Way. We will meet at the new Goonie's located at the Crooked Pint. Refreshments will be provided and there is plenty of room, so please bring along a friend! Socializing will continue after the event wraps up. Click for more info!
Upcoming events in Rochester