We really enjoyed reading the fantastic ‘Kindness Matters Guide’ which you can access here.
Here are some of the bits we found particularly inspiring!
- Kindness is choosing to do something that helps others or yourself, motivated by genuine warm feelings :)
- Kindness, or doing good, often means putting other people’s needs before our own. It could be by giving up your seat on a bus to someone who might need it more, or offering to make a cup of tea for someone at work.
- People who are kind and compassionate see clear benefits to their wellbeing and happiness. They may even live longer! Kindness can also help reduce stress and improve our emotional wellbeing.
- Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active. This, in turn, can improve our self-esteem. There is some evidence to suggest that when we help others, it can promote changes in the brain that are linked with happiness.
- Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place. An act of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness, and optimism.
- Your act of kindness may also encourage others to repeat the good deeds they have experienced themselves – contributing to a more positive community! You might have heard the phrase ‘pay it forward’!
A few ideas for acts of kindness
- Call a friend who you haven’t spoken to for a while.
- Post a card or letter to someone you are out of touch with.
- Send flowers to a friend, out of the blue.
- Find out if a neighbour needs any help with shopping.
- Ring someone who is on their own, or video call them.
- Send someone a handwritten thank you note.
Look after YOU….
It’s important to make sure we don’t overdo it! If we find we are giving too much of ourselves or have gone beyond our means, it’s probably time to take a step back. It’s very easy to give away all of our energy, especially if we are finding things hard ourselves and want to focus on others. Leave enough for you – kindness has to start with yourself.
Some ideas for acts of kindness you can do for yourself
- Prioritise some “me” time, so you can relax and reflect on how you’re feeling and how your day or week has been so far
- Turn off from your social media channels for a day, or even a week
- Treat yourself to something small, such as buying or planting some flowers
- Do something you enjoy, like listening to a favourite song or dancing in your kitchen