An Inexpensive Way to Increase Well-being

Studies confirm that kind actions can improve our states of well-being. And now, new research in Frontiers in Psychology — "'Kindness by Post’: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Participatory Public Mental Health Project" — documents the beneficial effects of both giving and receiving thoughtful cards.

Here's the basic premise studied. People received:

• An opportunity to participate in a program in which they would make or buy, and then send, a friendly, positive, considerate, compassionate-type card or letter to a stranger.
• There was no guarantee that they would receive a card or letter from a stranger.

The idea of helping others served as a primary motivator to participate. In turn, people experienced a sense of enhanced personal fulfillment. (See how that works? And yes, fulfillment tends to affect overall well-being positively.)

Interestingly, the hope of receiving a card to reduce their own loneliness didn’t seem to significantly motivate people to participate. This makes sense since most clinicians would likely agree that loneliness often dominoes into various levels of depression. And then, a common symptom of depression is a lack of motivation and ability for outreach. However, it might be possible that a sense of altruism–a want to help or contribute in a meaningful way–may override “the blues” (depending on the severity, of course).

You have one day to prepare for Random Acts of Kindness Day, but really, acts of kindness can occur on any day of the year. Here are some ideas:

• Scribble a card. Perhaps give it to your grocer, barista, or the cashier at the gas station. If you aren't leaving home, maybe leave it on the neighbor's door across the way.
• Make a paper airplane with "Whoever finds this, unfold me!" written on the outside and a positive message inside. Then, fly it out your window for someone to find. (Don't litter, though.)
• Tape a note that uplifts someone’s day to a mirror.
• If you have flowers in your planter box or garden, pick a few and randomly give them out while announcing, “It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day.”
• Write something friendly or inspiring in chalk on the sidewalk in front of where you live. If possible, watch people's faces as they read it.

For the sake of your mental health and overall wellness, do a random act of kindness. If you need the extra impetus, let February 17 be your motivation, and just see how you feel afterward.

*After reading this article, I realized how little effort it takes to do something to make someone else happy. The study was really interesting in the fact that many people still felt fulfilled, even if they did not receive a card back! Spreading positivity is so important and it's very simple. It doesn't have to be elaborate to make someone else's day! Just a card with a kind message can do the trick!*

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meaningfull/202202/inexpensive-way-increase-well-being

#PositivePsychology #RandomActofKindness #Kindness