photo: Sean and Lauren, Creative Commons

This week (February 9-15) is Random Acts of Kindness Week. This is a week to celebrate all of the good and positive things going on across the world. Sometimes it can get easy to focus on the negative stories and experience. However if you focus on the negative, you may miss out on some truly wonderful good news!

Completing a random act of kindness can make someone else feel unexpectedly special and appreciated.

It could also lead to changes in you! Focusing on the positive is associated with surprising health benefits including lower rates of depression, increased overall well-being, and even greater resistance to that pesky common cold.

So do a random act of kindness for someone each day this week and see how it impacts you!

This is a way to step out of your comfort zone in a way that makes someone else feel good and could even change you as well. You can even follow other people’s acts of kindness around the world using the #RAKWeek2015 on social media. Share your own acts of kindness with on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag and @GROWCounseling!

Here are some ideas that you could use as random acts of kindness:

• Tell your teacher or co-worker that you appreciate them.
• Compliment someone…even someone you do not know.
• Stop negative conversations! Do not gossip or speak badly about anyone for a week and see how it changes you.
• Offer someone a piece of gum.
• Give someone you love a hug.
• Smile at a stranger.
• Give someone an anonymous gift.
• Hold the door for someone.
• Let someone go in front of you whether you are in traffic or at the grocery store.
• Pay for someone’s coffee.
• Get involved with your community by volunteering at your favorite charity.
• Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with a favorite activity or even a favorite dessert. Take a walk to relax or even just a ten minute break.

Laura Lebovitz

LLebovitz@ GROWcounseling.com