Between wars, viruses, and economic strain, people are feeling more worried and stressed now than ever before. It’s no secret that long-term anxiety can lead to mental and physical health complications, so it’s important to do everything we can to help ourselves and others feel secure and happy. In today’s cruel and unpredictable world, a little Kindness goes a long way. Here’s how you can harness the power of kindness to make these dark times a little brighter.

Start Small

Holding the door a few seconds longer or flashing a smile can make someone’s day. It’s easy to make small efforts throughout the day to be kind and helpful. You never know what others are going through, so being extra gentle could keep someone’s bad day from becoming even worse. Even just taking a few minutes to listen to someone’s problem could make them feel heard and understood.

Team Up

One person making a difference is something wonderful. But several people teaming up to make the world a better place is something magical. Start with something celebratory and communal. For instance, celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day with friends and neighbors. This breaks the ice and organically unifies those determined to make a positive difference. The next thing you know, someone is raking their elderly neighbor’s yard, others are organizing a canned foods drive, and random acts of kindness become the norm and not the exception!

Donate to Your Favorite Cause

If you are short on time, you can show kindness by donating to a worthy cause. There are countless charities and non-profits out there in need of monetary donations, used items of value, and supplies to keep their efforts going. Whether you want to help the homeless or support the search for cancer cures, making a donation to a good cause is an excellent way to show kindness.

Volunteer Your Time

If you aren’t able to donate money, you can be kind by donating your time. Soup kitchens and Animal shelters are always looking for extra hands. Helping out organizations that are short-staffed can take a lot of stress off of the coordinators. When you volunteer, you are showing kindness to the people you are helping and those organizing the program.

Animals Matter Too

Kindness isn’t just for people. There are millions of animals out there that can benefit from the goodness of your heart. Whether you donate to the ASPCA or volunteer at the shelter, you are making a huge difference in the lives of dogs, cats, and other animals. You can also show kindness to animals by fostering or adopting a pet in need of a home.

Be Kind to Mother Nature

The planet needs kind people like you to keep it healthy and clean. There are so many ways to be kind to Mother Earth. Going meatless on Mondays, picking up litter, and recycling are just a few of the ways you can be nice to the environment. Adopting eco-friendly practices at home is a great way to be consistently kind to nature and reduce your impact.

Become a Mentor

Some children just need an extra push to reach their potential. Kids can benefit greatly from kindness and guidance from adults. If you are good with children, you may be able to show kindness by mentoring a child or teen.

Get Educated and Raise Awareness

There are so many issues we are facing today as a society. You can show you care by educating yourself about the struggles others are facing and raising awareness about these issues. When people know what’s going on, they are able to take action and help out. Trending issues need attention, but longstanding problems like hunger still need to be solved by kind people like you.

Be Kind to You

Last but not least, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. We are our own worst critics, so be sure to take time out of your days for self-care and relaxation.

As you can see, there are countless ways you can be kind, and there are so many people and animals that need your help. If you are kind, you truly have the power to make an impact. Even if you can’t change the world, you can change one person’s life and make it infinitely better. Get out there and show some kindness!