The last few years have been tough on everyone. As the days get colder, it is important to look out for one another.
We all know that life is as much about giving as it is receiving. Not to mention, taking time to help others can have a range of positive effects on your health and wellbeing. People who give more tend to be happier in themselves. Being kind to others even lowers stress levels, and in turn, boosts your immune system.
Kindness, like happiness, is contagious, so why not take the opportunity to give back to those around you and make someone smile.
Take a look at our list of five different ways you can make someone’s day.
1. Leave Notes
An easy, affordable, and creative way to make someone’s day better is by leaving notes to strangers in public places.
Positive words, quotes, drawings, and sayings can be left in coffee shops, bus stations, libraries, on notice boards and more! These notes of kindness and hope, or ‘Love Letters’, are a touching way to make a stranger’s day, and remind them that they are not alone.
2. Pay it Forward
Everyone loves surprises. Why not pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru? Or buy the next person in line a coffee?
Paying it forward is a wonderful and generous way to give back. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants across the UK that support this scheme, allowing you to either pay for someone else’s order that is already underway, or put aside a ‘suspended coffee’ for someone in need to claim at a later date.
3. Tip Generously
Different festive seasons and holidays can be an incredibly stressful time of year for people working in hospitality- and there’s a lot of them! This year looks to be even more stressful for the hospitality sector, with staffing shortages piling on further pressure.
That’s why a generous tip might just make your waiter’s day and is a great way of showing your appreciation for their service.
4. Praise & Compliments
We all like to receive compliments from time to time. Compliments can be easily integrated into everyday conversations and are an effort-free way to brighten a stranger’s mood.
Praising someone’s good attitude, fashion sense, hairstyle or sense of humour makes them feel valued, appreciated and seen.
5. Give Up Your Time
Small gestures, such as letting someone who is in a rush cut in line, can make a big difference to someone else’s day.
Other examples of giving up your time include holding a door open for someone, helping a stranger with their shopping bags or letting someone take your parking space.
There is no right way to make a stranger’s day, and these are just a few examples of acts of kindness that you can incorporate into your daily routine. You can also find ways to give back to your community.
Looking for something else to read? How about our article on teaching your child to be kind.
If you think you could have a positive impact on the life of a vulnerable young person, get in touch with us to find out more about fostering.
