Ditch Blue Monday with Random Acts of Kindness

January 16th is the third Monday of 2017, aka Blue Monday — the most depressing day of the year.

However, many experts, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, say there is no scientific evidence to support that any one day causes more sadness than others. In fact, there is fear that the simple generalization of the serious subject of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder actually causes more harm than good.

So a new trend catching on, particularly in Canada and the UK: Using Blue Monday as a reminder to perform a random act of kindness, because who doesn’t love giving — and receiving — a pleasant surprise?

Here are 5 super easy ideas to get you inspired.

1. Compliment someone.

2. When paying at a drive thru window, offer to pay for the car behind you.

3. Choose one of your Facebook friends and write a post about what you love most about them.

4. Donate money or clothes to a charity, or buy a bag of pet food and leave it at a shelter.

5. Go to a dollar store and purchase large freezer bags, socks, mini water bottles, toothpaste, a toothbrush and non-perishable snacks. Make individual “packs” and keep them in your car so you always have something other than cash to give to homeless people.

 

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