Published: Jan. 30, 2023

Expressing kindness and gratitude in your daily life offers many individual and collective benefits. In recent years, research has shown that giving, receiving and observing acts of kindness lead to positive outcomes. These practices can improve happiness, decrease stress, increase connection and enhance overall well-being.

Tap into the power of kindness by intentionally practicing daily actions that treat others and yourself well. 

Do random acts of kindness

Celebrate National Random Acts of Kindness Day on Feb. 17. Focus throughout the day on things you can do for others.

  • Say thank you to your professors.
  • Leave a kind note for your roommate.
  • Hold the door open for someone.
  • Clean up a shared space.
  • Call your family and friends to catch up.
  • Leave a kind comment on a friend's social media post.

Take time to notice simple ways to add joy and show gratitude to those around you. 

Show kindness in the community

Showing kindness in the community gives you a chance to practice giving back and promoting programs and practices that positively contribute to campus life and the community.

Participate in kindness and gratitude events

Attend events to connect, get involved and show gratitude toward yourself and others.

Practice kindness and gratitude throughout the year

While many departments at CU Boulder celebrate this special week with events focused on these practices, you don’t have to limit kindness and gratitude to one week. You can treat others well throughout the year. Use kind words, say thank you, treat others how you want to be treated and spread positivity. 

Connect with the Center for Student Involvement to learn more about how to get involved on campus.