Do a random act of kindness on Friday

Besides just being a good thing to do‚ kindness has been directly linked to good health – the simple act releases the feel good hormone oxytocin‚ which protects your heart by lowering blood pressure.

“It’s not just the apple that will keep the doctor away but kindness too‚” says Andy Hadfield‚ CEO of forgood (www.forgood.co.za) an online social platform that connects people to causes. “Giving back and doing good is a global trend‚ it’s become integral to work culture‚ with employees putting it high up on their list of work satisfaction criteria.”

Hadfield’s sentiment is backed by Trialogue‚ a corporate sustainability business that estimated an R8.2-billion CSI contribution by local businesses in the 2014 fiscal year.

These findings are supported by The Charities Aid Foundation‚ which listed South Africa as the fifth highest climber on the World Giving Index in 2014 — 4.5-million additional South Africans gave up their time to do good over the 2013 survey.

“Social activism is growing in South Africa‚ it’s no longer just about me and how I will benefit but about how all of us can benefit‚” says Hadfield.

“There are some fantastic causes doing amazing things across the country‚ all of them need help in one way or another – be it a volunteer’s time‚ goods‚ skills or services.”