Kindness is a language that all of us understand, irrespective of our age, race, ethnicity, religion, status, and identity. It’s a simple act that can bring comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging to others, regardless of their background or circumstances. What makes kindness even more powerful is that it’s completely free—yet its impact can be immeasurable.

With over 200k followers, the kindakindco Instagram community shows us how a small, nice gesture of kindness can brighten someone’s day and foster positive relationships. In a world where we often focus on what divides us, such posts are a reminder of our shared humanity.

Above all, we need to practice self-compassion. This means you shouldn’t be too harsh on yourself. During difficult times, you should treat yourself with the same understanding and care that you would offer to a friend. Also, if you make a mistake or face a setback, try to avoid self-criticism. Instead, try to acknowledge your feelings and remind yourself that we struggle sometimes.

Prioritizing your well-being is an essential form of kindness. You should try to make time for activities that you enjoy. It could be anything from taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or enjoying a long bath.

Research shows that helping others and being nice in general can actually make us happier. A study found that people who did kind things for others every day for a week felt a noticeable increase in their happiness. This is true irrespective of whether you are kind to friends, family, strangers, or even yourself. Interestingly, just watching others being kind can also have a positive impact on your emotions.

Imagine you're out buying groceries for a party, but you are in a really bad mood. While standing in the checkout line, you notice an elderly person struggling to lift their bags. You decide to help them, and they have a big smile on their face. Their reaction instantly lifts your mood. These simple gestures can have a big impact on our well-being.

This is because kindness triggers the release of "feel-good" hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which boost our mood and create a sense of satisfaction and well-being. These hormones light up the brain's pleasure and reward centers, not just for the person receiving the kindness but also for the one giving it.

But not every kind deed is made equal. Lara Aknin, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, believes, “Giving directly to a person or proxy—for instance, donating face-to-face to a charity rather than contributing online or taking a friend out to dinner rather than sending them a meal—offers an opportunity for social connectedness that’s particularly beneficial.”

“When people give in ways that are more socially connected or relational, that seems to better unlock these emotional rewards,” she added.

When you have a face-to-face connection, it enhances the emotional rewards of kindness, making both the giver and receiver feel more deeply valued and connected. Such meaningful interactions are usually more fulfilling than anonymous acts.

If these posts have inspired you, you can also start incorporating small acts of kindness into your daily life. For instance, you can start with something as basic as checking up on your neighbor. Or you can mentor the kids in your community or volunteer at any shelter near you.

At work, you can try striking up small conversations with your colleagues—ask them how their day is going or share a bit about what you're working on. Joining them for lunch is another great way to connect. When you're out and about, being thoughtful of others, like giving space to cyclists or letting drivers merge, can make a big difference in creating a more considerate environment.

Being generous can create a ripple effect and inspire others to do the same. These posts are a fantastic reminder of how impactful small acts of kindness can be. When was the last time you did something nice? How did it make you feel?