Ever had one of those days where it seems like the whole world is conspiring against you? One of those “your boss wasn’t pleased with something again, the dog made a mess on the carpet, you were stuck in traffic, and then you burned dinner” kind of days. They happen to all of us every once in a while. What lifts you up on those low days – maybe a glass of wine, an invigorating run, a Netflix binge at home or a reminder that someone cares for you?
While the first three options are great, nothing is as cheering as a reminder that you are loved and appreciated. Kindness. It’s a small act that can have enormous benefits. Simple reminders of love can lift us up for longer than the endorphins from exercise or the thrill of a good binge watch. That’s why we love the idea of following through on a prompting to reach out and show love – because a simple, thoughtful gesture can do great things.
So the next time you have a bad day, step outside of yourself. Do something kind for someone else, like sending a quick card or gift to show your love. A few words of encouragement, a rich chocolate brownie, an inspirational book, a thoughtful token: Such a gesture will send cheer to someone else and cheer you up as well. Research has shown that not only does an act of kindness reduce stress for the recipient, but it also reduces stress for the giver. So if you want to cure your bad day, do something nice for someone else.