CHICAGO–Credit unions often promote and conduct random acts of kindness, and research shows there are additional reasons for doing so—it’s not just good for the recipient of kindness. The person who makes the difference can gain something positive, too.
Writing on Inc.com, Peter Economy, who authors the blog The Leadership Guy, said when credit union staff engage in an act of kindness, endorphins (a natural painkiller) are produced in the brain, plus, people who are kind have 23% less of the stress hormone cortisol than the average population.
Looking for some ideas for random acts of kindness: Economy offered this list:
- Give a coworker a compliment.
- Give a stranger a compliment.
- Pick up some litter.
- Do a charity run.
- Serve at a soup kitchen.
- Thank a teacher or mentor with a surprise gift.
- Send a letter to a good friend instead of a text.
- Offer to give a coworker a ride home.
- Send a list of things you admire in a colleague.
- Pay for the coffee order of the person behind you in line.
- Take your sibling out for some fun.
- Buy instrument lessons for your parents.
- Leave a positive sticky-note on a co-worker's desk.
- Bring sweet treats to work.
- Send your mother flowers.
- Plant a tree.
- Help someone with a flat tire.
- Do more chores without someone asking you.
- Participate in or hold a fundraiser.
- Help a neighbor with their groceries.
- Shovel a neighbor's driveway when it snows.
- Put your phone away completely during a conversation.
- Prepare a meal for your work team.
- Babysit for free.
- Take someone on a random adventure.
- Send a care package.
- Make someone a playlist they would enjoy.
- Bring someone a souvenir from a trip.
- Volunteer at an animal shelter.
- Send dessert to another table.
- Let someone behind you at the grocery store go in front of you.
- Bring flowers to a nursing home.
- Leave a very generous tip.
- And lastly, treat yourself for no reason--you deserve kindness too.