by Caryn Anderson

Created on: March 06, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

It was the week before Christmas. My Mom and I were busily shopping, driving from store to store in a holiday haze. One of our stops along the way was to get gas. We pulled up and had one older gentleman ahead of us, finishing his tank. He took unusually long, and in our hustle and bustle, we began to get slightly frustrated. Finally, he capped his tank, replaced the nozzle, and with a smile and a wave, he got into his car and drove away. We pulled up to the pump and started filling the tank. Imagine our confusion and disbelief when the pump wouldn't allow us to pay! I walked over to the attendant and tried to figure out what was happening. It turns out that this elderly gentleman treated us to a tank of gas! In retrospect, I now understand his smile and wave and why it took him unusually long at the pump.

A few weeks later, I was in the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts and I spontaneously decided, as I drove to the window to pay, to pay for the order of the car behind me. I settled up the finances and with a smile and a wave in my rearview mirror, I drove away. In my heart, I hoped that my little act of kindness might inspire the people in the car behind me to do the same. The glowing feeling of having done something good for a complete stranger, for no reason-is incomparable! Thus began my search for healthy acts of kindness that I could perform.

Healthy? You might be asking yourself if there are any real health benefits to performing kind acts. According to numerous scientific studies as well as The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others by Allan Luks, there absolutely are significant benefits. Known as "helper's high" after performing a kind act, there is a feeling of euphoria followed by a long period of calm due to the body's release of endorphins. Numerous stress-related problems can improve as a result and the very act of helping can boost feelings of self-worth, joy, and connectedness; while decreasing feelings of isolation, depression, and helplessness. Sounds pretty good, right? Here are a few suggestions to get you started on the road to healthy acts of kindness.

* Feed the Meter! If you see a fellow traveler has run out of time, put a quarter in to prevent a ticket.

* Organize your friends or coworkers to collect canned and dry goods to donate to your local food bank.

* Strive to pay at least one compliment to someone each day.

* Smile. It's completely free and can affect everyone around you in a positive way.

* Pay the toll for the car behind you.

* Volunteer either at a nursing home, hospital, senior center, or local charitable organization.

* Allow the person behind you in the grocery line to go ahead of you.

* Compile a care package for a homeless person or person in need.

* Purchase some pet food and supplies to deliver to your local animal shelter

* Leave that prized parking space in front for someone else.

These are just a few examples. The possibilities are truly limitless. One small act of kindness could make a huge impact on the lives of those around you. Just think, not only will you be affecting your family, friends, and community-but you'll also be doing something healthy for yourself!

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