Six Acts of Kindness to Help Boost Your Mental Health
If you’re one of the 50 million Americans who struggle with their mental health, then you may be interested to know how random acts of kindness can boost your mood.
With the ability to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain, the simple act of being kind to another person can have extraordinary effects on your overall well-being and mental health.
Discover six acts of kindness below that promise to boost your mental health and start feeling happier sooner rather than later.
Call a friend
Everyone feels lonely at some point or another, especially those who struggle with their mental health. If you’re having a bad day and feel like you could do with a boost of happy hormones, then all you need to do is pick up the phone and call a friend.
Not only is this simple act guaranteed to lift your spirits, but it will also make your friend feel better, too.
Make a charitable donation
Studies have shown that choosing to donate or getting involved with a local charity can help to improve your mental health and make you feel more satisfied in your life.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of spare cash, as even the smallest donation will still make you feel good about yourself and help alleviate any symptoms of depression.
Send a joke
If you know that a friend, family member, or work colleague is going through a difficult time, why not send them a quick joke to put a smile on their face?
It’s something that’s so simple and easy to do, but also something that could make a huge difference to someone’s day. It doesn’t even have to be a very good joke!
Play with your pet
There’s a direct link between spending time with your pet or any animal and improving your mental health, with the simple act of stroking your cat or petting your dog guaranteeing to make you feel calmer and more at peace.
Plus, when you take time out of your busy schedule to lavish attention on your pet, they’re going to love it, too, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Make a care package
If you know someone who’s unwell, recovering from an illness, or who can’t get out of the house much, why not surprise them with a care package?
This could include some edible items such as their favorite foods, a few candles, and aromatherapy oils to help them relax, and some magazines or a good book to keep them occupied.
Again, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a lot of money to spend as it’s the thought that counts.
Give praise to a colleague
The workplace can be a stressful environment, especially for people who struggle with their mental health. If you often feel stressed or anxious at work and could do with a serotonin boost, then giving praise to a colleague can help you and also help them.