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Random Acts of Kindness Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated each year on February 17. The purpose of this special day is to urge people to be kind to each other, especially those they don’t know, without any specific reason.

The philosophy behind Random Acts of Kindness Day is altruism, which is selfless concern for the welfare of others. A traditional virtue and a core aspect of many religions, altruism is basically the opposite of selfishness.

Altruism concentrates on the desire to do good or help others without reward. Although the key to altruistic behavior is not being concerned with reward, doing good does have its benefits. Those who perform random acts of kindness often find that doing so reduces stress and boosts their self-esteem, leading to better physical and emotional health.

As you perform random acts of kindness for others, you will likely find that some people wish to return the favor. Instead of accepting their offer, ask them to “pay it forward” instead. The phrase “pay it forward” refers to the idea of requesting that a kindness be repaid by having it done to others instead. In this small, simple way, you can encourage others to keep the kindness flowing.

In New Zealand, where this day originated, Random Acts of Kindness Day is celebrated on September 1st. It is also recognized by some on other days throughout the year, however, doing random acts of kindness is something that can be done every day of the year.