Random Acts of Kindness

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What is a random act of kindness?

A random act of kindness is any action designed to offer kindness towards the outside world. Some believe that the kind act can't be premeditated (planned out ahead of time), but the research suggests that any act, big or small, planned or not, can count as a random act of kindness.

Why is it good to engage in random acts of kindness?

Researchers believe that random acts of kindness can make you feel happier because it creates positive social interactions and can improve feelings of self-worth. Evidence suggests that the "randomness" of the acts is important. If you keep performing the same kind acts over and over again, it becomes routine and stops being as much as a boon for your happiness.

Video: Here are some random acts of kindness

Activities to develop kindness:

Gratitude Note

Gratitude is the process by which we feel or express thanks for someone or something in our lives. In this activity, you learn one way to practice gratitude for others.

Assertiveness

For this activity, you are going to reflect a bit on your interpersonal style to make sure that you are relating to others in ways that are fair to you. In this emotion activity, you learn the emotion skill, assertiveness, to better advocate for yourself and others.

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About Dr. Tchiki Davis

Dr. Davis is founder of The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. After getting her PhD in psychology at Berkeley, she started creating online content & programs to boost well-being—some of these have reached more than a million people. As author of Outsmart Your Smartphone, and contributor to Psychology Today, The Greater Good Science Center, and Shine Text, Dr. Davis aims to share her insights on happiness & health with people all across the world. Learn more about Dr. Davis.

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