Random acts of kindness have been shown to increase everything from self-esteem to happiness level. At the same time, the paradox of choice is known to increase our cognitive load to a degree that makes us frustrated and, ultimately, dissatisfied. So how do we reap the benefits of acts of kindness without straining our brains at the myriad possibilities?

Enter Dice for Change – a wonderful designer set of dice featuring pictograms that help us choose from a menu of pro-social, pro-self and pro-nature actions, a magic-8 ball of sorts for being a better person.

The dice, from Dutch creative studio Creative Heroes, come in three varieties: Kindness (with acts like smiling, paying a compliment and expressing love), Wellness (with prompts to take the stairs, have a good laugh, slow down, and keep a positive outlook), and Eco (tapping your green conscience with reminders to separate your trash, unplug devices on stand-by, get reusable shopping bags and, curiously, group-shower).

The beautifully designed wooden gems aren't commercially available yet, but they're just too lovely not to materialize.

via

Maria Popova is the editor of Brain Pickings, a curated inventory of miscellaneous interestingness. She writes for Wired UK, GOOD Magazine, Design Observer and Huffington Post, and spends a shameful amount of time on Twitter.