If there’s one constant I’ve seen running through the research on well-being and my personal life, it’s this:
Prosocial living is one of the strongest ways to cultivate joy, purpose, and positive relationships.
Rather than bog you down with lengthy treatise on why, I’m sharing how. Below is an excerpt and a printout from The Burnout Cure: Learning to Love Teaching Again of 75 Altruistic Acts for Educators.
Set some goals: Which can you check off in the next week? Who can you enlist to join you on a kindness campaign?
| Plant a tree at school | Call a parent just to compliment their child | Compliment a coworker to your boss |
| Buy dessert for the table near you | Ask a new teacher what you can do to help them today | Thank a custodian |
| Clean something that normally someone else cleans | Post a positive message about someone on social media | Host a “flash can drive” and donate the money to a local cause |
| Buy donuts for your colleagues | Leave someone the biggest tip your educator salary can afford | Email a former student to tell them you are proud of them |
| Invite a new staff member into your conversation | Write your partner a list of things you love about him or her | Buy the meal or coffee for the person behind you in line |
| Use dry erase markers to write affirmations on the bathroom mirrors | Smile and say hello to a stranger | Babysit someone’s child (or fur baby) for free |
| Give away some stuff on Craigslist | Call a family member just because (or to tell them why you appreciate them) | Let someone behind you jump ahead in the grocery line |
| Send anonymous flowers to someone at school. | Make a crockpot meal to leave in the staff lounge | Recommend a good book to someone |
| Write a thank you letter to one of your former teachers or mentors | Donate those clothes you still haven’t worn | Put your phone out-of-sight and be present in a conversation |
| Pay off a student’s lunch debt anonymously | Ask a substitute teacher what you can do to help him or her today | Cover a colleague’s class when they are out unexpectedly |
| Compliment your boss | Put an anonymous affirmation on a student’s locker or desk | Pay the toll, bus, or train fare for the person behind you |
| Make dinner for someone who is having a busy week (or phase of life) | Clean up some litter | Attend a student’s athletic event, hobby, or performance |
| Return someone else’s grocery cart for them | Put a few dollars in an envelope and write “If you need this keep it; otherwise add to it and pass it on” | Tell a student why you’re grateful to have them in your class/school |
| Volunteer at a local soup kitchen (Bonus points if you get students or coworkers to join you) | Register to be on the bone marrow transplant registry | Leave a student’s favorite treat on his/her desk before class starts |
| Repost a friend, co-worker, or student’s blog | Give everyone coming down the hallway a high five | Buy a unique, cool sticker for someone from Redbubble.com |
| Write an affirmation on a colleague’s board before he or she gets to work | Let your colleague cut ahead of you to make copies | Offer to help a colleague grade some assignments |
| Ask your boss what you can do to help him or her today | Throw some extra change in the vending machine for someone else to use | Apologize to someone who you wronged |
| Donate a personal day to a coworker who just had a baby or medical need | Volunteer for recess, lunch, or bus duty to relieve a coworker | Offer to buy a kid’s art project |
| Buy a book for a student or colleague that you know they will love | Place a thank you note in a colleague’s mailbox | Invite a student to eat lunch with you |
| Buy/give the new teacher the supplies that you know you forgot to get your first year | Help someone carry their heavy bags | Organize a DonorsChoose.org project for a colleague |
| Donate blood (Bonus points if you get someone to join you) | Post online something you love about your school | Mix up a big batch of hot chocolate to give out to strangers or students on a cold day (or lemonade on a hot day) |
| Write a recommendation letter for a student without being asked | Pull a student aside to tell them how much you’ve noticed their resilience (or another great character trait) | Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a long time |
| Leave a thank you note or gift card for your mail provider | Put an anonymous affirmation in a colleague’s mailbox | Restock the staff coffee bar with the best stuff you can afford |
| Clean out the refrigerator in the staff lounge | Have your students come up with a prospiracy for a colleague | Post a good review online for a business you frequent |
| Have your server box up half your meal in advance and then give it away to someone in need | Clean the snow and ice off of someone else’s car | Send a care package to someone serving overseas. |
Chase Mielke 