Act kindly and compassionately more often, as it measurably boosts mental and physical health, buffers against burnout and stress, increases happiness, and may contribute to a longer life.
Actively practice and work on developing your kindness and empathy, as these are skills that can be learned and improved upon over time.
Practice truly listening to others without distraction, making them the center of your world in that moment, as this is a profoundly kind act.
Read novels regularly, as research shows it improves empathy by providing insight into the thoughts and feelings of diverse characters and their experiences.
Keep a “kindness diary” to record instances where you were kind, thought about being kind, or witnessed/received kindness, as this increases your awareness and likelihood of performing kind acts.
Intentionally decide in advance to perform acts of kindness when specific situations arise, such as offering help to someone who looks lost, to prime yourself for readiness.
Engage in small, everyday acts of kindness, such as chatting to a stranger in a queue, because even minor gestures can significantly impact someone’s day.
Initiate conversations with strangers, as research indicates most people enjoy these interactions and do not judge negatively, making it a simple act of kindness.
Recognize and practice kindness in its many forms, including forgiving others, including those left out, noticing unhappiness, and truly listening, not just direct help or gifts.
Actively “twitch” or look out for acts of kindness in the world around you, as this helps counteract the natural tendency to notice negative things and reveals the world is not as bad as it seems.
In every situation, consciously consider how you can leave it slightly better than when you arrived, encouraging continuous positive contributions.
Choose acts of kindness that align with your personal preferences and strengths, such as donating money to charity if volunteering is not your preference, to make the practice more sustainable and authentic.
When given a choice, spend money or resources on someone else rather than yourself, as research shows this leads to a better mood and higher well-being.
Decide in advance that you will step forward and act heroically if a situation arises where you can save a life or perform a significant kind act, as such opportunities may arise a few times in a lifetime.
Consider incorporating AG1, a daily health drink, into your routine to support digestion and enrich your gut microbiome with beneficial bacteria.