Can you remember the last time somebody was kind to you? How did it feel?

Chances are, it made you feel loved and happy. You can do the same for others!

Kindness is contagious. When you are kind, you make others feel good and end up feeling good yourself. It’s a win-win situation!

In this article, we’ll share seven tips on spreading kindness to those around you.

How to Get Better at Being Kind

To get better at being kind, you first need to want to be a kind person. It might sound obvious, but it’s the truth!

If you don’t consciously make an effort to be kind, it won’t happen. Set a daily intention to practice at least one act of kindness, whether holding the door for someone, giving a genuine compliment, or calling a family member to check in.

To develop your ability to spread kindness, you’ll need to learn and practice. Only through practice will you make kindness an essential part of who you are. Start small and build the kindness habit over time.

You also need to be aware of opportunities to be kind. If you’re not paying attention, you might miss a chance to make a positive difference. Look for moments throughout your day to brighten someone else’s mood or lend a helping hand.

Finally, you should also be patient. Developing the habit of kindness takes time, and change doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient with yourself, and keep at it! Consistency is key.

woman with her arm around her friend's shoulder

Spread Kindness With These Tips

Let’s now examine some specific ways to spread kindness.

1. Be Generous With Your Smile

One of the easiest ways to be kind is to share your smile. Not many people remember to do this consciously.

Think about it. How many people smile at the cashier when you’re in your local grocery store?

Your challenge is to make it a habit to smile at people! Smiling is a simple way to acknowledge others and add warmth to their day.

You don’t need to say anything—a simple smile will do. Smile at the person next to you in the elevator, smile at a coworker in the hall, or smile at a stranger passing by on the street.

A smile is a universal sign of kindness. It’s easy to do and costs nothing but can make a big difference in somebody’s day.

Remember: smiling is contagious! When you smile, you’ll most likely get a smile back.

2. Donate to a Good Cause

Another great way to spread kindness is to donate money or resources to a cause you care about. Many good causes are under-resourced, so your donations can make a real difference.

We live in a society where not everyone has the privilege to live the life they want. Supporting these people is important. You can donate care packages with necessities and small comforts to children with health conditions or a homeless shelter.

Donating isn’t limited to causes specific to people. The environment and animals also need your love! Consider donating supplies or money to an animal rescue shelter or a conservation organization working to protect endangered habitats and species.

Even small donations add up. Set aside a few dollars a month to give to a meaningful charity. Clean out unused clothes, books, and household items in good condition to donate. Every bit helps!

3. Volunteer Your Time

Volunteering is a great way to spread kindness. It allows you to give back to your community.

Many charities rely on volunteers and donations to continue their operations. Charities that can’t afford to pay their staff rely on volunteers like yourself to reduce their financial burden. When you volunteer, you help them increase their impact on the community.

There are so many volunteer opportunities available. All you need to do is find one that suits your skills and interests! You can mentor a student, work for your community’s anti-bullying program, assist with a fundraiser for a refugee camp, or provide entertainment and companionship for the residents at a nursing home.

Volunteering benefits you more than just spreading kindness. You build self-confidence, gain new skills and connections, and develop a sense of pride and identity. Look for volunteer options that fit your schedule, whether a weekly commitment or occasional projects.

4. Be Mindful of Your Manners

It’s easy to forget our manners when we’re busy with our lives. But minding our manners is essential if we want to be kind!

Practicing good manners is an art that can help others feel at ease. It can also make somebody’s day being treated with kindness and respect.

Here are some ways to be more mindful of your manners:

Say please and thank you when making requests or receiving something.
Hold the door open for the person coming in behind you.
Offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you do, e.g., a pregnant or elderly person.
Don’t walk with your eyes glued to your phone. Look up and be present.
Let someone know if they dropped something so they don’t lose it.
Ask how someone is doing and genuinely listen to their answer. Give them your full attention.
Practice social distancing around people wearing masks to respect their health concerns.
Give your mail carrier or delivery person water or a cold beverage on a hot summer day.

By being thoughtful in everyday interactions, you show others that you care and make kindness a habit.

5. Perform Random Acts of Kindness

A random act of kindness is a small act you do for somebody without expecting anything in return. It’s a spontaneous act of goodwill that can brighten somebody’s day.

Some random acts of kindness ideas include:

Buying coffee for the person behind you in line.
Leaving a generous tip for your server or barista.
Helping someone carry their groceries.
Passing up a great parking spot and letting another car have it.
Donating blood to potentially save lives.
Send a friend an encouraging thinking of you text out of the blue.
Pick up litter at a local park or beach.

If you regularly perform kind acts, you’ll soon find that they brighten not only other people’s days but also your own! Get creative and find little ways to surprise others with kindness.

6. Be Compassionate to Those Around You

A compassionate person is someone who shows care, sympathy, and concern for others during a tough time.

So, if you want to be a champion of spreading kindness, learn to show compassion, especially to those close to you.

Here are some ways to be more compassionate:

Practice active listening when someone is talking to you. Give them your undivided attention and respond thoughtfully.
Put yourself in other people’s shoes to understand their perspectives and feelings.
Respect other’s feelings and opinions, even if you disagree. Avoid judgment.
Don’t hesitate to offer help when you see someone struggling. Ask what they need.
Learn to forgive others for their mistakes and shortcomings. Let go of grudges.
Learn how to remain calm and considerate during emotionally charged situations. Take deep breaths and respond with patience.

Self-compassion is also important! Treat yourself with the same care, understanding, and forgiveness you would show somebody else. You need to be kind to yourself to effectively show compassion to others.

scrabble tiles that spell the word "compassion"

7. Spread Positivity, Not Negativity

Showing kindness isn’t always about how you treat people but also how you speak and think.

Your thoughts and words are powerful. They can influence your emotions and the emotions of those around you.

So, if you want to spread kindness, you need to spread positivity.

Here are some ways to do that:

Cultivate gratitude and focus on the good in your life. Keep a gratitude journal.
Compliment other people more. Tell them what you appreciate about them.
Spread encouragement online – give positive reviews, likes, and thoughtful comments.
Avoid gossiping and speaking badly about others. Change the subject to something positive.
When you make a mistake, admit it, apologize if needed, and learn from it. Don’t dwell on it.
Choose your words carefully and be mindful of how they might affect others. Speak with good intentions.

Remember, your thoughts and words matter. Use them to uplift others and create more kindness in the world.

Final Thoughts

Kindness matters! If everyone were to spread kindness daily, we would live in a completely different world.

By spreading kindness, you can be the change you want to see in the world!

The next time you find yourself in an argument with family members, choose to speak with kindness instead of anger. Give your nice parking space to a coworker who hurt their ankle. Send care packages to people you haven’t seen in a while to let them know you’re thinking of them. When you’re out and about, go out of your way to perform a small act of kindness for a stranger.

Use your kindness to positively influence those around you. The world needs more kindness, so be the change and spread it everywhere you go!

If you want to promote kindness and positivity in your everyday life, download the Do Happy App. The app will help you stay accountable to your happiness and kindness goals!