National Say Something Nice Day: Spreading Kindness on June 1st

National Say Something Nice Day, observed annually on June 1st, harnesses the scientifically proven mental health benefits of expressing kindness, with research showing that positive communication reduces anxiety and depression symptoms while improving overall emotional wellness for both givers and receivers.

When was the last time a kind word brightened your entire day? National Say Something Nice Day celebrates the science-backed power of positive words to boost mental health, reduce stress, and even improve physical wellbeing — and you might be surprised to learn just how much your simple compliment can transform someone's life.

National Say Something Nice Day: June 1st

Words have the transformative power to change lives, and what better way to harness that power than through kindness? Kind words can elevate someone’s spirit, providing happiness, confidence, and encouragement. Plus, expressing positivity often makes the giver feel just as uplifted as the receiver.

That’s why each year, on June 1, we celebrate National Say Something Nice Day – a day dedicated to encouraging kind words and random acts of kindness, similar to World Kindness Day. This special observance reminds us that even small gestures require effort but can create significant impact. You might use this opportunity to express appreciation to family members, friends, colleagues, or even strangers. If you struggle with self-kindness, consider working with a licensed clinical social worker through ReachLink to develop more positive self-talk patterns.

History of National Say Something Nice Day on June 1st

National Say Something Nice Day originated in North Charleston, South Carolina, recognizing the impactful work of Mitchell Carnell, who served as Director, President, and CEO of Charleston Speech & Hearing Center.

Throughout his career, Carnell advocated for effective communication and teaching, eventually authoring books focused on positive communication: Say Something Nice – Be a Lifter! and its companion, Say Something Nice – Be a Lifter @ Work! He became known for his influential South Carolina speech championing kindness and civil communication.

In 2006, North Charleston’s mayor officially declared June 1 “Say Something Nice Day” to honor Carnell’s community contributions. Since then, numerous cities, organizations, and groups have formally recognized and celebrated this meaningful observance.

The science of happiness and doing something nice

Saying something nice extends beyond simply creating a momentary smile. Research suggests that feelings of happiness and pleasure can affect several areas of the brain, though ongoing research continues to explore these connections. Let’s examine how expressing kindness impacts overall happiness and health.

How happiness can affect health

Health and happiness share a bidirectional relationship, as physical wellbeing often contributes to happiness. However, according to the American Heart Association, the inverse may be true as well – maintaining happiness may be essential for physical health.

Happiness can lower a person’s risk of developing several physical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders. Additionally, happier individuals tend to make healthier lifestyle choices, including nutritious eating and regular exercise, further enhancing their physical wellbeing.

Happiness also correlates with reduced severity of mental health symptoms, particularly for conditions like depression and anxiety.

As a result of these combined factors, some researchers have concluded that happier people tend to enjoy longer lives.

Positive impacts of praise, gratitude, civil language, and compliments

Both giving and receiving praise, expressing gratitude, and offering compliments positively contribute to happiness. Research indicates the brain processes verbal praise similarly to how it processes financial rewards. Compliments boost morale and reduce the negative effects of stress.

Studies suggest that many people underestimate the positive effects of giving compliments. Often, we worry the recipient might feel uncomfortable or bothered, which research shows is typically inaccurate. Interestingly, despite anxieties about giving compliments, people generally report feeling better after doing so.

Performing acts of kindness can decrease symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. One study examined participants reporting moderate levels of depression and anxiety. Those who engaged in random acts of kindness typically experienced lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress both during and after the study. Additionally, they reported stronger social support networks and higher life satisfaction.

Despite the benefits of praise and compliments for both givers and recipients, many people hesitate to engage in these positive behaviors. National Say Something Nice Day encourages people to overcome this hesitation, spreading kindness and happiness throughout their communities.

Ideas for celebrating National Say Something Nice Day and improving communication

Celebrating National Say Something Nice Day can be as simple as expressing appreciation for someone you care about, complimenting a colleague, or showing kindness to a stranger.

Mitchell Carnell emphasized the importance of sincerity with compliments. Consider offering genuine praise while avoiding “negative riders” (following a compliment with a “but” clause). Carnell advised using the person’s name and explaining your specific reason for the compliment when possible. He also suggested being generous with praise without making it so routine that it loses meaning.

If you’re looking for inspiration to spread happiness on National Say Something Nice Day, consider these ideas for different relationships in your life.

National Say Something Nice Day: Nice things to say to family members

We often spend significant time with family yet forget to express our appreciation. When celebrating National Say Something Nice Day with parents, grandparents, children, siblings, and other household members, consider saying:

• I’m truly grateful for how you help maintain our home.
• I love your unique decorating style in your room.
• Thank you for driving me to my appointment. I genuinely appreciate your time!
• The meal you prepared was absolutely delicious.
• I’m so appreciative that you tackled the yard work today.
• You did an amazing job organizing the garage.
• You always remember my favorite snacks when shopping!
• Your performance in the game today was outstanding. I’m so proud of you!
• Your life experiences are fascinating – I’d love to hear more.
• I’m deeply grateful for your guidance and support.
• Your intelligence and insight always impress me.

Nice things to say to friends on June 1st

Kind words can strengthen friendships. On National Say Something Nice Day, acknowledge how much their friendship means to you or highlight qualities you admire:

• You’re truly a wonderful friend.
• Thank you for remembering even the smallest details about me – your thoughtfulness is remarkable.
• That outfit looks perfect on you.
• Your artistic talent really shows in that drawing – it’s beautiful!
• You listen with such genuine attention and care.
• I loved the show you recommended. You understand my preferences so well!
• You always discover the most interesting places to eat.
• Your storytelling ability is captivating – I could listen to you all day!
• Your home reflects your wonderful personality.
• I value your trustworthiness and wise counsel.
• I appreciate how you make time for our friendship despite your busy schedule.

Nice things to say to co-workers and peers

In professional or educational settings, compliments can boost morale and motivation. Consider these thoughtful comments for colleagues:

• Your thorough research always elevates our projects.
• Your reliability makes you an invaluable team member.
• Your natural aptitude for this work is evident – you’ve definitely found your calling.
• Your leadership during meetings is always effective and engaging.
• Your presentation balanced information and engagement perfectly!
• The document you created was exceptionally helpful – your effort shows.
• Collaborating with you brings out my best work.
• Your explanation clarified that complex topic brilliantly.
• Your organizational skills are truly impressive.
• Working alongside you makes the workday more enjoyable.
• Your dedication and work ethic set an inspiring example.

Nice things to say to strangers: Using complimentary communication to combat negativity

Thoughtful compliments can brighten a stranger’s entire day. Even brief interactions can create lasting positive impact. Consider these kind remarks for people you encounter:

• Your sense of humor is delightful!
• You have such a friendly, approachable demeanor.
• Your laugh is wonderfully contagious.
• That color complements you perfectly.
• You have such a memorable presence!
• You bring such positive energy to this space.
• I admire how gracefully you handled that situation.
• Your style choices are fantastic!
• Your confidence is truly inspiring.
• Your unique features are striking and beautiful!
• This conversation has been a genuine pleasure.

Do something nice for yourself and try therapy

While expressing kindness to others is valuable, how you speak to yourself matters equally. If negative self-talk is a challenge, working with a licensed clinical social worker through ReachLink can help you develop healthier internal dialogue and greater self-compassion.

If traditional in-person appointments don’t fit your lifestyle, ReachLink’s telehealth platform offers flexibility and convenience. You can personalize your therapy experience by attending sessions from your preferred location, scheduling appointments that accommodate your commitments, and choosing between video calls, phone calls, or messaging options based on your comfort.

Research consistently shows that telehealth therapy produces comparable outcomes to in-person sessions for many mental health concerns. ReachLink’s licensed clinical social workers are equipped to address a wide range of challenges through evidence-based approaches.

Takeaway

Happiness creates a ripple effect with lasting physical and mental health benefits for both givers and receivers of kindness. These benefits include reduced cardiovascular disease risk, improved sleep quality, and alleviated symptoms of depression and anxiety. National Say Something Nice Day, observed annually on June 1, provides a perfect opportunity to spread positivity among friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers.

When offering compliments, focus on sincerity – a principle emphasized by Mitchell Carnell, whose work inspired this observance. The suggestions provided can inspire your own expressions of kindness on National Say Something Nice Day and beyond. To nurture your personal wellbeing, consider working with a ReachLink clinical social worker through convenient telehealth sessions that fit your schedule and preferences.