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When was the last time you did something for someone without expecting anything in return?

Random Acts of Kindness Week is fast approaching, beginning February 13, and every year it reminds us that a little goes a long way.

Eva Korcyznski, 24, a resident of Nottingham, shared how a random act of kindness made her day: “I went into Doughnotts to treat myself after a particularly bad day, and the server sensed something was wrong and chucked in a free hot chocolate and gave me a hug, pre pandemic of course.

“It didn’t make my bad day go away, but it did make it feel like some sun was poking through the clouds.”

Kindness is infectious; it releases oxytocin – also known as the love hormone – into our bodies, improving our mood and overall wellbeing.

Caitlin Hill, 21-year-old forensics student at Nottingham Trent University, lost her dad suddenly last year.

It was a difficult time for her and her family and her mental health began to deteriorate.

She shared how a random act of kindness turned things around for her: “I booked myself in to get my hair done, probably for the first time in years and I managed to get through the appointment without breaking down.

“When I went to pay, he told me it was free, and all he wanted me to do was pass on this random act of kindness to someone else.

“I had never met this man, yet he decided to do something like that, little did he know how much I was struggling and how special this made me feel.”

“it Just goes to show that you never know what someone else is going through and how much these acts turn things around for people.”

Caitlin Hill, 21-year-old student

Kindness has no limits, whether it’s being kind to others, kind to yourself or kind to our environment, there are endless opportunities for you to involve yourself in filling our world with compassion.

Here’s 20 acts of kindness that you can do today.

  • Say hello to a stranger
  • Pick up some litter
  • Compliment your friend
  • Plant a tree
  • Give up your bus seat for someone
  • Volunteer at a homeless shelter/elderly home
  • Leave your waiter a tip and good review
  • Bake some treats for your household/neighbours
  • Smile at a passer-by
  • Put some birdseeds in your garden
  • Buy a homeless person a hot drink or meal
  • Give your parents/guardians/grandparents a call
  • Show interest in someone and ask if they’re okay
  • Send someone flowers for no reason
  • Make friends with someone new
  • Make someone laugh
  • Have a clear out and donate the items to charity
  • Recognise someone’s hard work
  • Babysit for a friend for free
  • Make amends

Remember, simply one act of kindness could make someone’s day!