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Home - February 17th – Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day!
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February 17th – Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day!

Ashley SunderlandBy Ashley SunderlandFebruary 14, 20234 Mins Read
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The idea behind Random Act of Kindness Day is to cultivate feelings of kindness and bring joy to someone’s day. Let your kindness overflow and celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day with us on February 17th!

Visit www.randomactsofkindness.org/rak-day for fun resources to celebrate RAK Week & RAK Day!


History of Random Acts of Kindness Day – February 17th

Random Acts of Kindness Day was initiated in 1995 in Denver, Colorado, by a nonprofit organization called The Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation. The event spread to New Zealand nine years later, in 2004, and the observance of the holiday became increasingly widespread. 

Random Acts of Kindness

A random act of kindness is defined as “a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger, for no reason other than to make people happier” (Wikipedia).

Kindness is more than behavior; it’s a quality of being. The art of kindness is harboring a spirit of generosity, being thoughtful and compassionate, and doing so without expecting anything in return.

Acts of kindness make the world a happier place. They may also encourage others to “pay it forward” and repeat the good deed of kindness they’ve experienced themselves!



The Role of Kindness in Recovery

Showing kindness towards others or oneself can actively heal emotional distress that may have led an individual to use substances in the first place.

Kindness helps those struggling in isolation with mental health symptoms or find comfort in places other than alcohol or drugs. Many people turn to alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate these troublesome emotions. One simple act of kindness from another person could encourage and motivate a person to seek help and a path of recovery.

Practice Kindness

Practicing kindness has also been found to impact someone’s likelihood of continued sobriety directly. And beginning to pass on that kindness by helping others with similar problems is very often a key to maintaining recovery. A study on the effects of volunteering focused on alcoholism and found that helping others doubles the likelihood of recovery from alcoholism in one year.

Scientific Benefits of Kindness

Good for the Mind

Physiologically, kindness positively changes your brain. When we show others kindness, our body releases various hormones, including serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins, that improve our health and overall well-being. Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine and causes the pleasure/reward centers in the brain to light up. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, are also released. The most minor acts of kindness can reduce anxiety and stress while increasing our energy and happiness!

Kindness increases a sense of connectivity with others, which can directly impact loneliness, improve mood, and enhance relationships. Looking for ways to show kindness can provide you with a healthy focus activity and a sense of purpose, especially if you tend to be anxious or stressed.

Good for the Body

Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy, and compassion and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. People who practice kindness also tend to be healthier and live longer. 


Kindness increases: 

  • Energy
  • Happiness
  • Lifespan
  • The love hormone
  • Pleasure
  • Optimism
  • The healing process
  • Calmness
  • Heart-health
  • Self-esteem
  • Empathy
  • A sense of connectivity
  • Reward areas in our brain

Kindness decreases:

  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Social avoidance
  • Pain
  • Blood pressure
  • Disease
  • Loneliness
  • Unresolved grief
  • Bullying
  • Hatred
  • Judgement
  • Conflict with others

Watch The Science of Kindness video to learn more:


How one act of kindness a day can change your life – TED Talk by Mark Kelly


Random kindness stuff I love:

Random Acts of Kindness Then & Now: The 20th Anniversary of a Simple Idea That Changes Lives (Stories of Kindness)

#ADDTOCART ON AMAZON


Be Kind: An essential gift with tips on how to improve happiness, health and positive thinking. Featuring Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby, Matt Haig and more

#ADDTOCART ON AMAZON


53Pcs Be Kind Stickers Pack, Inspirational Quote, Motivational Saying Aesthetic Decal | Vinyl Waterproof Kindness Stickers for Water Bottle, Laptop, Phone, Scrapbook, Journal Gifts for Kids Teens Adults

#ADDTOCART ON AMAZON


A Good Deck: Spread Joy: Choose joy with this high-quality deck of cards with 150 simple acts of kindness. 

#ADDTOCART ON AMAZON


SOBER SWEAT: Come sweat with Sober Curator Ashley Sunderland bringing the weekly pump to get you over the weekly hump. Quick workouts and nutrition tips that are too legit. (Too legit to quit!)

Living a sober lifestyle? Us too! Our goal is to help smash the stigma surrounding addiction, showing that sober is not boring, by providing positive content on living life to the fullest. The lifestyle section is a catch-all for all things sober living.

ENOUGH IS A FEAST covers healthy, and sometimes lazy recipes and mindful eating tips that align with your alcohol-free lifestyle.


A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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Ashley Sunderland
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Ashley Sunderland is a Twin Cities-based Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Prevention Professional, and Peer Recovery Specialist who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work. Through compassionate advocacy and evidence-based education, she empowers clients to achieve lasting transformation on their unique recovery journeys. Ashley is at the forefront of normalizing alcohol-free living and advancing wellness-focused lifestyles through her specialized work in the rapidly growing non-alcoholic beverage industry. As a non-alcoholic beverage consultant, she collaborates with brands and influencers to expand quality options for individuals embracing sobriety or mindful consumption, helping to reshape social drinking culture. As a contributing writer and content creator at The Sober Curator, Ashley provides valuable resources and authentic storytelling that makes zero-proof living vibrant, accessible, and celebrated. Her work demonstrates that an alcohol-free lifestyle is both fulfilling and joyful. Ashley is expanding her therapeutic practice to include holistic healing modalities and is currently pursuing certification in Equine-Assisted Therapy. In partnership with Serenity Farm & Stables in Watertown, Minnesota, she is integrating innovative recovery approaches that harness the transformative power of the human-animal bond, providing clients with unique pathways for healing and personal growth. Connect with Ashley to explore her initiatives in the recovery community, the transformative power of equine therapy, her dedication to the non-alcoholic movement, and her mission to raise the bar on what it means to celebrate, socialize, and thrive sans alcohol!

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1 Comment

  1. Joanne Sunderland on May 4, 2023 11:06 am

    Pretty fantastic post.

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