Let's be kind to each other, ourselves, and the planet.
About World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day® promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. This day, celebrated on the 13th of November, aims to inspire people to create a kinder world and make a global difference by performing random acts of kindness. Every act of kindness, even the smallest one, has power and can make a difference. You can celebrate this day by pledging to carry out at least one act of kindness. No matter what you decide to do, show people around you that we can all choose to be kind.
"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
WHY KINDNESS MATTERS?
It makes the world a happier place
Small acts of kindness have a domino effect. When you are kind to other people, it encourages them to repeat the good deed that they’ve experienced themselves. That way we are creating more positive communities.
It makes you feel good
Helping other people promotes positive physiological changes in the brain associated with happiness. An act of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness and optimism. Also, it distracts us from our own problems and improves our self-esteem.
It creates a sense of belonging
Being a part of a social network makes you feel that you belong somewhere. Doing different activities with others can help reduce loneliness and isolation. Kindness helps in improving your relationship with yourself, people surrounding you and those whom you helped. It ultimately fosters respect and better emotional ties.
It helps to improve our mental health
Engaging in random acts of kindness has a positive impact on our mental wellbeing – it can help decrease negative feelings and emotions such as anger, sadness, or frustration. The research from Mental Health Foundation has found that 63% of UK adults agree that when other people are kind it has a positive impact on their mental health, and the same proportion agree that being kind to others has a positive impact on their mental health.
Listen to the podcast from the Mental Health Foundation to see why kindness matters and how it is central to our mental health.
how can you celebrate it?
You can celebrate this day by pledging to carry out at least one act of kindness. From buying lunch for a homeless person, wheeling out your neighbour’s bin, and helping a colleague with a difficult task to taking old blankets to the animal shelter. No matter what you decide to do, show people around you that we can all choose to be kind.
Here are our top 30 ideas:
Let other driver to merge into the traffic
Shop local and support small businesses
Compliment someone
Offer to teach a skill you excel at, whether cooking, art or a particular subject
Call a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while
Sign up to do voluntary work in your local community
Help your colleague with a difficult task at work
Pay for stranger's coffee
Check on someone you know who is going through a tough time
Donate shoes and clothes to a local shelter
Feed the birds in the park
Walk a neighbour's dog
Reduce your carbon footprint - walk or cycle to your local shop instead of driving
Join a community clean-up event in your local area
'Adopt' a wild animal
Have a friendly chat with the shop assistant when paying at the till
Take old blankets and towels to the animal shelter
Wheel out your neighbour's bin
Praise a colleague for something they have done well
Make a donation to a chosen charity
Let someone jump the queue in the supermarket
Send an uplifiting message to a relative, friend, or a colleague
Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbour
Buy lunch for a homeless person
Surprise someone and bake a cake for them
If you have professional skills, offer pro bono services to individuals in need
Arrange a romantic dinner for your partner
Send someone a handwritten thank you note
Buy second-hand items in your local charity shop
Write a positive comment online
For more inspiration and ideas head over to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation website.
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