The Kindness Playbook Remove from Favorites News: Timely Features MagnifyMagnify Photo credit: Ignacio Ruiz Casanellas/iStock/Getty Images Plus In the United States, February 17 is the perfect day to lend someone a helping hand—it's Random Acts of Kindness Day. And November 13 is World Kindness Day. A time-honored principle of good conduct is the Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." But sometimes it seems like some people just never got the rule book. How else can you explain the unfortunate displays of bad behavior and sheer ill will out there? It all makes you wonder: What ever happened to basic human kindness? Well, get out your calendar because on February 17, kindness takes center stage in communities across the U.S. It's called Random Acts of Kindness Day. And it's a celebration of spontaneous kindness and goodwill. On November 13, the celebration goes international with World Kindness Day, which is observed in over 28 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Nigeria, and United Arab Emirates. The idea behind both days is simple: Hop aboard the kindness bandwagon! So what's the best way to celebrate kindness on these days? With generosity of spirit. All it takes is a gracious word or a thoughtful deed. Experts suggest starting by being kind to yourself. Treat yourself to something nice or do something you love. After all, if you're going to show kindness to others, it helps to be a happy camper yourself. It's easy to throw a little kindness at your family members, too. Maybe thank a parent for being there for you. Or do a chore without being asked. Want to spread a little goodwill at school? The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation offers tons of suggestions on its website, such as thanking your teachers for all they've taught you. (A word of caution, though: No one likes insincere praise, so keep it real.) Sometimes an act of kindness may mean leaving your comfort zone. For example, invite someone outside of your social circle to hang with you and your usual pals at lunch. Kindness can also be a fun class project. The class could write a group thank-you letter to someone whose generosity has benefited the community. And speaking of community, you can shower a little kindness there yourself. Volunteer for a worthy cause, plant a tree, carry a package for an elderly person, or let someone go ahead of you in line. You could extend your kindness to the cybercommunity, too. How about posting a positive comment on a blog or social media platform? The world could use a blast of sweet-smelling cyber-air. It's said that kindness is its own reward, but, in fact, there are other rewards, too. According to researchers, doing good increases the production of serotonin, the chemical in our bodies that can help heal wounds and contributes to happiness. The same goes for endorphins, the brain's natural painkiller. In addition, studies have shown that people who act kindly and selflessly live longer, have more energy, and experience less stress, depression, and anxiety. Kindness also has a larger collective effect, too. Studies show that acts of kindness are contagious and bring out the best in others, so it's a win-win situation all around. With such a big payoff, you just might find yourself celebrating kindness all year round. To view this video, play it outside of school hours, or ask your teacher or an administrator to change the "Videos During School" setting on the student list page. Video Transcript: How to Change the World With Kindness Video credit: The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation Added to Favorites TO-DONOTESVOCABULARY Question 5 Question 5 of 8 5 / 8 Suppose Isabella wants to find out about the chemicals produced in the brain that can help fight pain. She would find most of her information __________. A. on a map highlighting the countries taking part in World Kindness Day B. under the word "chemical" in a dictionary C. under the heading "endorphins" in an encyclopedia D. on a television program teaching kindness to young children
The Kindness Playbook
Remove from FavoritesNews: Timely Features
Photo credit: Ignacio Ruiz Casanellas/iStock/Getty Images Plus
In the United States, February 17 is the perfect day to lend someone a helping hand—it's Random Acts of Kindness Day. And November 13 is World Kindness Day.
A time-honored principle of good conduct is the Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." But sometimes it seems like some people just never got the rule book. How else can you explain the unfortunate displays of bad behavior and sheer ill will out there? It all makes you wonder: What ever happened to basic human kindness?
Well, get out your calendar because on February 17, kindness takes center stage in communities across the U.S. It's called Random Acts of Kindness Day. And it's a celebration of spontaneous kindness and goodwill. On November 13, the celebration goes international with World Kindness Day, which is observed in over 28 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Nigeria, and United Arab Emirates. The idea behind both days is simple: Hop aboard the kindness bandwagon!
So what's the best way to celebrate kindness on these days? With generosity of spirit. All it takes is a gracious word or a thoughtful deed. Experts suggest starting by being kind to yourself. Treat yourself to something nice or do something you love. After all, if you're going to show kindness to others, it helps to be a happy camper yourself.
It's easy to throw a little kindness at your family members, too. Maybe thank a parent for being there for you. Or do a chore without being asked.
Want to spread a little goodwill at school? The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation offers tons of suggestions on its website, such as thanking your teachers for all they've taught you. (A word of caution, though: No one likes insincere praise, so keep it real.) Sometimes an act of kindness may mean leaving your comfort zone. For example, invite someone outside of your social circle to hang with you and your usual pals at lunch. Kindness can also be a fun class project. The class could write a group thank-you letter to someone whose generosity has benefited the community.
And speaking of community, you can shower a little kindness there yourself. Volunteer for a worthy cause, plant a tree, carry a package for an elderly person, or let someone go ahead of you in line. You could extend your kindness to the cybercommunity, too. How about posting a positive comment on a blog or social media platform? The world could use a blast of sweet-smelling cyber-air.
It's said that kindness is its own reward, but, in fact, there are other rewards, too. According to researchers, doing good increases the production of serotonin, the chemical in our bodies that can help heal wounds and contributes to happiness. The same goes for endorphins, the brain's natural painkiller. In addition, studies have shown that people who act kindly and selflessly live longer, have more energy, and experience less stress, depression, and anxiety. Kindness also has a larger collective effect, too. Studies show that acts of kindness are contagious and bring out the best in others, so it's a win-win situation all around.
With such a big payoff, you just might find yourself celebrating kindness all year round.
Video Transcript: How to Change the World With Kindness
Video credit: The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Added to Favorites
Question 5
Question 5 of 8
5 / 8
Suppose Isabella wants to find out about the chemicals produced in the brain that can help fight pain. She would find most of her information __________.
AI-generated content may present inaccurate or offensive content that does not represent bartleby’s views.
Unlock instant AI solutions
Tap the button
to generate a solution