3 Acts of Kindness to Turn into a Routine

Photo: @michellepoler

Random acts of kindness are the best, but there’s something extra special about routine acts of kindness that become part of your everyday life. When kindness becomes a reflex instead of a random event, your relationships—with yourself and with the world around you—can transform.

To help get you started, we came up with a few small, easy-to-implement ways to incorporate routine acts of kindness into even the busiest schedules.

1. SEND A “JUST ‘CUZ” CARD

You don’t have to wait for a birthday or special occasion to send a sweet lil something in the mail. Pick a friend or family member each week and send them a fun card with a handwritten note inside. Everyone loves getting snail mail, and the act of telling someone why you’re just so grateful they exist is an exercise in optimism that makes everyone feel good.

2. SMILE

Smiling floods your body with feel-good endorphins. It’s also contagious, signaling those around you to follow suit. Try flashing your best smile next time someone bumps into you on the subway, or cuts you off in traffic. A genuine smile is instantly disarming, and we’re willing to bet you’ll get one right back.

3. MAKE TIME FOR YOU

“You” time is so important! When you set aside intentional time to show yourself kindness on a regular basis, you have so much more to give to those around you. Whether it’s spending one evening a week just reading on the couch, hitting an early spin class every day before work, or taking a leisurely stroll around your favorite neighborhood on your lunch breaks, pick some pockets of time every week that are just for you. You’ll feel good, and in turn, radiate all that positive energy outward.