How to be Happy by Doing Just 7 Days of Small Acts of Kindness 

  Way back when you were small, some wise adult probably explained to you that not only does being kind make the world a nicer place to live in and other people happy, it also makes you happy too. It was great advice to get you to stop hitting that one annoying kid in your kindergarten class, but was it actually true?

  If you've ever looked around at our cutthroat world and wondered about the value of kindness, recent research out of Oxford University is for you. Using rigorous science it proves that just seven days of small, random acts of kindness is enough to bring significantly more joy to your life.

15 ideas for random acts of kindness to get you started

  Is this the most gob-smacking, unexpected scientific finding you'll ever hear about? No. But it is one of the most important and practical. Living in a modern world saturated with loneliness, division, and gloom, this study is a lovely reminder that making both yourself happier and the world a bit better is within reach.

  To make putting this research to use even easier, the team behind it helpfully included a list of small acts of kindness they gave to study participants to spark ideas and help anyone begin their own mood-boosting regime of daily kindness.

  "We specifically selected acts based on affordability, ease of opportunity and commonality," note the researchers, so most of the following suggestions should be within your reach no matter your means or specific situation:

1. Give a book, some art, or music -- and include a note of kindness
2. Ask someone if you can help them with a problem
3. Meditate on kindness
4. Buy coffee for someone
5. Send a handwritten note or thank you card to someone
6. Share a positive newspaper or magazine story
7. Give a plant
8. Spend time with someone who is lonely
9. Pick up litter from around your home or office
10. Do a favor for a neighbor (i.e. water their garden or trim their hedge) 
11. Invite someone to watch a film with you
12. Bake a treat and give it to someone
13. Donate useful items
14. Leave a generous tip

   15. Write a positive comment on a blog     

   Go ahead and make a pledge to do at least one small act of kindness for the next seven days and let us know how it affects you in the comments. 

     Source: https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/just-7-days-of-small-acts-of-kindness-will-make-you-happier-oxford-research-proves.html