Join AARP Renew Now

You’ve reached content that’s exclusive to AARP members.

To continue, you’ll need to become an AARP member. Join now, and you’ll have access to all the great content and features in Staying Sharp, plus more AARP member benefits.

Join AARP

Already a member? Login

Want to read more? Create an account on aarp.org.

A healthy lifestyle helps protect the brain. Make brain health a habit and register on aarp.org to access Staying Sharp.

Not Registered? Create Account

Spread Kindness

Facebook

Twitter

Find opportunities to do good deeds today

Be Social
Happiness

blackCAT/Getty Images

Add to My Favorites

My Favorites page is currently unavailable.

Add to My Favorites

Added to My Favorites

Completed

Updated April 7, 2023

spread-kindness

Quick Win: Sprinkle small acts of kindness throughout your day, expecting nothing in return. You will lift people’s spirits — and your own!
Try this today: Show your gratitude to a neighbor, friend, family member or acquaintance through a note or small treat.

Give plentiful praise. Let someone know how much you enjoy their company, give kudos on a job well done or compliment someone on a great new hairstyle.

Help a stranger. Carry bags or packages, hold the door open or let someone check out ahead of you at a store.
Why: We are social beings, and performing acts of kindness (random or otherwise!) can boost others’ spirits — and it may increase your own happiness. You may know this from experience, and research backs it up. In a study of 122 adults with heightened anxiety or depression symptoms, performing acts of kindness — even small things like offering someone a ride — led to an increase in life satisfaction and greater feelings of social connection, as reported in 2022 in The Journal of Positive Psychology. Moral of the story: Altruism is a win-win.

Up Next

You May Be Interested In

View All

Joe Shmmoe

Exclusive

MEMBERS ONLY

Challenges

Added to Favorites

Favorite removed

Joe Shmmoe

Exclusive

MEMBERS ONLY

Challenges

Added to Favorites

Favorite removed

Joe Shmmoe

Exclusive

MEMBERS ONLY

Challenges

Added to Favorites

Favorite removed

AARP VALUE &
MEMBER BENEFITS

See All Benefits

MEMBER BENEFIT

Community

Create the Good

Find nearby volunteer opportunities that interest you

Learn More

See more Community offers >

{"hideCategory":false,"useAlternateLanguage":false,"headlineIconAltText":"","listItems":[{"categoryTitle":"Community","categoryUrl":"/membership/benefits/community/","categoryDeeplinkParam":"community","isLimitedTimeOffer":false,"offerJson":{"dbr_offer_id":"5e2160f47773ad50fbb14703add25c21","source_name":"Create the Good","offer_title":"Find Volunteer Opportunities That Interest You\u0026nbsp;","offer_description":"\u003cp\u003eFind nearby opportunities that match your skills and interests or recruit volunteers for your service projects.\u003c/p\u003e","offer_short_description":"Find nearby volunteer opportunities that interest you","category_list":"community","subcategory_list":"community-volunteering","tags":[{"tagID":"dbr:community","title":"Community","name":"community","deeplink_url":"/membership/benefits/community/","deeplink_param_value":"community","get_offers_url":"/etc/aarp/dbr/ws.api/offers/community.json","sub_tags":[{"tagID":"dbr:community/volunteering","title":"Volunteering","name":"volunteering","deeplink_url":"/membership/benefits/community/volunteering/","deeplink_param_value":"community-volunteering","get_offers_url":"/etc/aarp/dbr/ws.api/offers/community-volunteering.json"}]}],"vertical_image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/aarp_everywhere/favorites-imagery/2015-10/258x334-CTG-need-volunteer.jpg","image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/aarp_everywhere/favorites-imagery/2015-10/1140-CTG-need-volunteer.jpg","advertisement_flag":"","advertisement_sort_order":"","merchant_phone":"","merchant_phone_label":"","howto_redeem":"Learn More","howto_redeem_url":"https://createthegood.aarp.org/","howto_redeem_expired":"Renew to Learn More","howto_redeem_expired_link":"https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew","howto_redeem_non_member":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_non_member_link":"https://secure.aarp.org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.action?appName\u003daccount","howto_redeem_anonymous":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_anonymous_link":"https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid\u003dUASMBP1\u0026intcmp\u003dEWHERE-MBCHAE-LP-MMA-JOIN","howto_redeem_desc":"Search for volunteer opportunities on the Create the Good website.","member_exclusive_flag":"no","offer_type":"EverGreen","hideLeavingAARP":"false","interstitial_desc":"You\u0027ll leave AARP.org and go to the website of a trusted provider. The provider\u0027s terms, conditions, and policies apply.","dbr_offer_type":"socialmission","restrictions":"","lto_daysleft_start_control":30,"is_redeemable_in_person":"false","is_redeemable_only_in_person":false,"state_blacklist":[],"offer_timing":"anytime","line_of_business":"","asi_category":"","analytics_brand":"Create the Good","analytics_offerid":"create-the-good","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon":"Member Log In","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_link":"https://login.aarp.org/online-community/loginform.action","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember":"Link your membership","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_link":"https://secure.aarp.org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.action?appName\u003daccount","offer_keywords":["community","volunteer","Create the Good","charity","donate","service","remote"],"offer_keywords_spanish":["Comunidad","voluntariado","compartir es vivir","caridad","donar","servicio","remoto","a distancia"],"provider_logo":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/social-mission/icons/red-hands-heart-logo-icon.png","provider_logo_alt_text":"red hands heart icon logo","provider_logo_cdn_uri":"https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/social-mission/icons/red-hands-heart-logo-icon.imgcache.rev4f0974b9d62afb9c6bc1be9b2a5f4cd9.png","provider_logo_width":"64","provider_logo_height":"56","enable_utm_parameters":"","append_aid_paramter":"","lto_model_heading":"Limited Time Member Offers","lto_advertisement":"Member Exclusive Advertisement","ty_socialMissionFlag":"false","deeplink_param_value":"create-the-good","howto_redeem_2":"Learn More","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_label":"Already a member?","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_label":"Already a member?","image_alt_text":"light blue sweatshirt need volunteer","image_title":"light blue sweatshirt need volunteer","image_cdn_uri":"https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarp/aarp_everywhere/favorites-imagery/2015-10/1140-CTG-need-volunteer.imgcache.rev21df955901e9e546f44103682df3cd9d.jpg","tab_label_offer_details":"Details","tab_label_restrictions":"Disclosures","geoloc_tab_label":"Locations","disclaimer_label":"","geoloc_provider_legal_info":"You will leave AARP.org and go to the website of a trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions, and policies apply.","geoloc_miles_label_text":"Miles","geoloc_show_results_within_label_text":"Show results within","geoloc_see_more_button_text":"See More","geoloc_find_location_label":"Find a Location","geoloc_total_results_label":"Result(s)","geoloc_no_results_view_message":"There are no locations within a 100 mile radius. Please try another location","geoloc_tab_hint_text":"Enter an address, city, or ZIP","geoloc_mobile_list_cta":"LIST VIEW","geoloc_mobile_list_cta_url":"","geoloc_mobile_map_cta":"MAP VIEW","geoloc_mobile_map_cta_url":"","geoloc_provider_link_cta_url":"https://createthegood.aarp.org/","geoloc_experience_type":"social_button","ty_ctaText":"Continue","geoloc_hide_tab":"false","ty_interstitialText":"Thanks for visiting aarp.org! Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","howto_redeem_label":"How to Access","ty_interstitialDesc":"Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","ty_cancelText":"Cancel","ty_interstitialTitle":"Thanks for visiting aarp.org!","lto_daysleft":"Days Left","provider_logo_title":"red hands heart icon logo","geoloc_hide_see_more_button":"false","geoloc_provider_link_cta":"Take Me to Locations Page","offer_page_path":"/benefits-discounts/all/create-the-good/","redemption_content":"","show_phone_number_above_cta":"","restrictions_label":"Disclosures","show_state_availability":"","state_availability_text":"SEE AVAILABILITY IN YOUR STATE","hideRestrictionsTab":"true","ltos":[]},"parentOfferJson":{}}]}

Smiling, mature Hispanic man, woman looking at laptop in kitchen

MEMBER BENEFITS

AARP® Medicare Plans from UnitedHealthcare®

A range of Medicare-related plans

Learn More

See more offers >

{"hideCategory":false,"useAlternateLanguage":false,"headlineIconAltText":"","listItems":[{"categoryTitle":"","categoryUrl":"","categoryDeeplinkParam":"","isLimitedTimeOffer":false,"offerJson":{"dbr_offer_id":"dfc915fcc4407b0893a4c590ff374555","source_name":"AARP® Medicare Plans from UnitedHealthcare®","offer_title":"Medicare Plans","offer_description":"\u003cp\u003eAARP Medicare Plans offer a range of options, from plans that help cover out-of-pocket costs to comprehensive plans that include additional benefits.\u003c/p\u003e","offer_short_description":"A range of Medicare-related plans","category_list":"","subcategory_list":"","tags":[],"vertical_image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/united-healthcare/258x334-united-health-care-october-2019.jpg","image_url":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/united-healthcare/1140x641-united-health-care-october-2019.jpg","advertisement_flag":"","advertisement_sort_order":"","merchant_phone":"1-855-342-0852","merchant_phone_label":"To learn more, call UnitedHealthcare toll-free at (TTY 711)","howto_redeem":"Continue","howto_redeem_url":"https://www.aarpmedicareplans.com/health-plans/plan-summary?WT.mc_id\u003d8013532","howto_redeem_expired":"Renew to Learn More","howto_redeem_expired_link":"https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew","howto_redeem_non_member":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_non_member_link":"https://secure.aarp.org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.action?appName\u003daccount","howto_redeem_anonymous":"Join to Learn More","howto_redeem_anonymous_link":"https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid\u003dUASMBP1\u0026intcmp\u003dEWHERE-MBCHAE-LP-MMA-JOIN","howto_redeem_desc":"Available to members and non-members. Plans and pricing are on the UnitedHealthcare website.","member_exclusive_flag":"no","offer_type":"EverGreen","hideLeavingAARP":"","interstitial_desc":"You\u0027ll leave AARP.org and go to the website of a trusted provider. The provider\u0027s terms, conditions, and policies apply.","dbr_offer_type":"discount","restrictions":"\u003cp\u003eAARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e","lto_daysleft_start_control":30,"is_redeemable_in_person":"false","is_redeemable_only_in_person":false,"state_blacklist":[],"offer_timing":"anytime","line_of_business":"ASI healthcare","asi_category":"ASI Healthcare \u0026 Insurance","analytics_brand":"UHC Medicare Plans | AARP® Medicare Plans from UnitedHealthcare®","analytics_offerid":"aarp-medicare-plans-from-unitedhealthcare","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon":"Member Log In","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_link":"https://login.aarp.org/online-community/loginform.action","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember":"Link your membership","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_link":"https://secure.aarp.org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.action?appName\u003daccount","offer_keywords":["medicare plans","uhc","unitedhealthcare","member benefits","aarp benefits","aarp discounts"],"offer_keywords_spanish":["Beneficios para socios","United","Medicare","Planes de salud","Planes de Medica","Descuentos en Medicare","Ahorros en Medicare","Cobertura en seguro de salud","Seguro","Salud y bienestar"],"provider_logo":"/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/united-healthcare/uhc-med-plans-2x-logo.svg","provider_logo_alt_text":"AARP Medicare Plans","provider_logo_cdn_uri":"","provider_logo_width":"","provider_logo_height":"","enable_utm_parameters":"true","append_aid_paramter":"","lto_model_heading":"Limited Time Member Offers","lto_advertisement":"Member Exclusive Advertisement","ty_socialMissionFlag":"true","deeplink_param_value":"aarp-medicare-plans-from-unitedhealthcare","howto_redeem_2":"Learn More","howto_redeem_already_registered_nonmember_label":"Already a member?","howto_redeem_already_registered_anon_label":"Already a member?","image_alt_text":"Smiling, mature Hispanic man, woman looking at laptop in kitchen","image_title":"Smiling, mature Hispanic man, woman looking at laptop in kitchen","image_cdn_uri":"https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/united-healthcare/1140x641-united-health-care-october-2019.imgcache.rev5ed012636846aad32b768712228868ab.jpg","tab_label_offer_details":"Details","tab_label_restrictions":"Disclosures","geoloc_tab_label":"Locations","disclaimer_label":"","geoloc_provider_legal_info":"","geoloc_miles_label_text":"Miles","geoloc_show_results_within_label_text":"Show results within","geoloc_see_more_button_text":"See More","geoloc_find_location_label":"Find a Location","geoloc_total_results_label":"Result(s)","geoloc_no_results_view_message":"There are no locations within a 100 mile radius. Please try another location","geoloc_tab_hint_text":"Enter an address, city, or ZIP","geoloc_mobile_list_cta":"LIST VIEW","geoloc_mobile_list_cta_url":"","geoloc_mobile_map_cta":"MAP VIEW","geoloc_mobile_map_cta_url":"","geoloc_provider_link_cta_url":"","geoloc_experience_type":"","ty_ctaText":"Continue","geoloc_hide_tab":"true","ty_interstitialText":"Thanks for visiting aarp.org! Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","howto_redeem_label":"How to Access","ty_interstitialDesc":"Come back again to check out all of the AARP Member Benefits and unlock the full power of membership.","ty_cancelText":"Cancel","ty_interstitialTitle":"Thanks for visiting aarp.org!","lto_daysleft":"Days Left","provider_logo_title":"AARP Medicare Plans","geoloc_hide_see_more_button":"false","geoloc_provider_link_cta":"","offer_page_path":"/benefits-discounts/all/aarp-medicare-plans-from-unitedhealthcare/","redemption_content":"","show_phone_number_above_cta":"true","restrictions_label":"Disclosures","show_state_availability":"","state_availability_text":"SEE AVAILABILITY IN YOUR STATE","hideRestrictionsTab":"","ltos":[]},"parentOfferJson":{}}]}