Halloween is known for its spooky and eerie themes, but did you know it can also be a time of kindness, compassion and community-building? #HappyActs are good habits to practice any time of the year, but this month we have a special challenge to think about giving instead of getting.
Each week during October, we ask all our Happy Activists to participate in our #HalloweenHappyActs campaign by practicing one of our Halloween-themed #HappyActs below. To make it even more fun, challenge your family and friends to participate as well.
When you complete any of the #HalloweenHappyActs, share it on social media (be sure to tag us!) and tag two people who you’re challenging to also do #HalloweenHappyActs. And because no good deed goes unrewarded, we are giving away new Live Happy swag to those who participate and give us a happy tag!
Week 1: Donate Blood
Vampires aren’t the only ones who need blood on Halloween. Donating blood is a selfless act that helps save the lives of so many who have experienced serious trauma or have a chronic medical condition. Giving blood can also have several personal and community benefits for the givers, such as providing more purpose to your life by contributing to the greater good and reducing your risk of a heart attack or stroke, which are both good for your health and well-being. Plus, you’ll even get a free health screening out of it to see if you are maintaining good health.
Week 2: Trick or Treat for UNICEF
This annual Halloween fundraising campaign helps collect donations instead of candy. The United States International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) provides humanitarian aid to families around the world who need it most, including those suffering from malnutrition, lack of clean water or the effects of natural disasters. When we give back through charitable donations or volunteering our time, we can increase our feelings of happiness often referred to as the “helper’s high.” This can boost our self-esteem and compassion while also reducing feelings of anxiety.
Week 3: Paint a Pumpkin
The long-standing tradition of decorating pumpkins was associated with the celebration of the fall harvest. Today, painting pumpkins is often a creative outlet for artistic expression, plus it’s a great family activity that can create a lot of positive memories. We suggest painting positive messages on your pumpkins as a way to bring more kindness into your Halloween celebrations. Make sure to display your artwork in a place that can be easily viewed by others and make someone’s day a little bit brighter.
Week 4: Wrap Someone in Love
Human beings are wired for human connection. A great way to express this connection is through a warm embrace. Hugs can also offer a variety of physical and emotional benefits for both the hugger and the huggee, including a reduction in stress and anxiety, a decrease your blood pressure and even pain relief through the release of endorphins. If you see someone who needs a hug, it’s a great chance to get out of your comfort zone and do something nice for someone else as well as for yourself.
Week 5: Reverse Trick-or-Treat
Reverse Trick-or-Treating is a twist on the normal Halloween tradition where people take the initiative to spread kindness instead of focusing on getting treats. This gesture can be in the form of a small gift, homemade treats, or a donation to a charitable organization made in someone’s name.
Here are two Reverse Trick-or-Treat activities for you to try this year:
Bake a healthy treat for your office or your child’s class.
Create Halloween cards with inspirational and positive messages for your neighbors.
Have a Happier Halloween With a #HalloweenHappyActs
Here are just a few ideas for you to make this spooky season a time for kindness and joy. We hope you truly have a HAPPY Halloween and practice our #HalloweenHappyActs challenge all month long.
