World Kindness Day is November 13 and now more than ever I feel we need to extend kindness to others. It seems like the world is sad, and while we can’t control everything, we can control how we treat others and how we react to others.

In honor of World Kindness Day, let’s all try to be a little kinder today, and every day.

5 ways to be kind right now

Try to make people smile.

This is a game I like to play a lot. It might seem silly or uncomfortable at first, but each day try to catch someone’s eye and smile and get them to smile back at you. Sometimes, a smile from a stranger can snap someone out of being irritated or more. Psychologically and emotionally, smiles improve a mood and when you smile at a stranger, it creates a pay-it-forward mentality. Smiles can also reduce angst and anxiety and release endorphins which increase happiness. So, stop what you’re doing right now and go smile at a stranger.

Give someone your time.

One of the biggest ways to show kindness is to offer your time and listen to someone who needs it. People need to be heard and share their thoughts and there aren’t always opportunities for people to do so. Listen. By listening to someone, it helps empower them and makes them feel heard and validated.

Create a personal moment for someone.

Write an authentic note to someone to tell them you appreciate them. Whenever I go to a TV studio and do an interview, I always send a thank you card and express genuine appreciation for the opportunity. Simply sending a quick note in the form of a card, text or whatever works for you can change someone’s attitude.

Give someone a hug.

Physical touch is incredibly important. We are social beings and need emotional intimacy with other people. Hugging someone shows you have emotional sympathy or empathy for them and acknowledges them. We are slipping more and more from connecting with others and hugging someone, or even touching someone gently on the arm, can connect you to another person. 

Do random acts of kindness.

I love this one. Hold the door for a stranger. Tell someone in a store you like their hair or outfit. Buy the person behind you a cup of coffee in addition to yours. Little things go a long way in this world.