Random Acts Of Kindness

Hello everyone! Hope you’re all doing OK. This past week I’ve been trying to look for a present for my parent’s Anniversary, which is next Monday, I’m usually more organized and would normally have bought a card and a little gift already for them, but with everything that’s been going on with the world, all the days just rolled into one and time got away from me 😮 luckily though, I managed to order them something at the beginning of the week from a small business online that hopefully will turn up in time (fingers crossed), anyway onto today’s post….

Today’s post is about National Random Acts of Kindness day, a day to celebrate and encourage random acts of kindness, and I thought I would share with you ways you can still be kind to others and yourself, so lets start.

The movement of Random Acts of Kindness inspires people every day. As a favorite celebration for many, people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness. Not only do the acts of kindness bring joy to the receiver, but they spread positive reactions to the giver, too!

Being Kind To Others

During this challenging time, people have been coming together and are supporting one another; from clapping and cheering out of our windows to showing support for NHS staff, to doing a weekly shop for a vulnerable neighbor. We have shown and are still showing that, even in some of the most difficult times, we can all choose to be kind. Helping each other has been shown to be good for our own mental health; it helps reduce stress and can improve our overall wellbeing. This means that being kind to someone can not only make them feel supported and cared for, but can also make you feel good too. Random act of kindness, however small, can have the power to brighten someone’s (and your) day.

5 Ways To Be Kind To Others:

Keep In Contact – Call grandma, your favorite aunt, your best friend. Use FaceTime to see the face of someone you love or at least just call them to hear their voice. We are going to need to do better than merely texting right now.

Run errands – Not everyone can get to the shops at the moment, so on your next trip to the supermarket offer to do the shopping or pick up medicine for a neighbor or friend. You could pick up a little something extra while you’re at the shops, such as a small box of chocolates, to surprise them when they unpack their groceries. Remember to keep your distance when dropping off the goods – or better still leave them on the doorstep and make a quick call to let the recipient know it’s there.

Write – Write a note to a parent to let them know they are doing a good job. Leave a note and a small gift for delivery drivers. Write a letter or make a card for a relative. Place large signs with kind messages in your windows so people can be inspired as they drive or walk by.

Be a good listener – You may not be able to see your family and friends and some could be struggling to deal with the current situation. Take the time to phone them, especially those who are alone, and really listen. Cheer them up by talking about topics they enjoy, recall shared memories to help them stay connected, and remind them they are not alone.

Give back – With many people doing it tough at the moment, donating to a cause you care about is a surefire way to send those feel-good endorphins soaring. Many studies have shown the benefits of altruism so, whether it’s a food delivery organization, women’s support service or other community foundation, there’s never been a better time to give back.

Being Kind To Yourself

Being kind to yourself all day every day isn’t easy at the best of times, so it can be a lot harder when you’re stuck indoors most days either with others or only yourself as company. We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to reach goals and be the best we can be – And despite the strange, scary situation we find ourselves in right now, many people are feeling similar pressures to ‘make the most’ of the time at home, whether that’s by getting fit, baking perfect Instagram-worthy cakes or taking up an impressive-sounding hobby. But if the lockdown and coronavirus crisis in general is taking its toll on your mental wellbeing, just getting through each day might seem like enough to focus on right now – and that’s OK. Here are some more ways to be kind to yourself during these uncertain times…

5 Ways To Be Kind To Yourself:

Know That It’s Okay To Feel Sad Or Cry – We’re in a horrible situation at the minute, and sadly don’t seem to have an end date in sight. It is so important that you are kind to yourself when you’re feeling upset at the minute or just ever, generally. You’re allowed to be upset . You’re allowed to feel sad. Don’t ever compare what you’re experiencing to whether someone else might have it ‘worse’. You can only experience and embrace the feelings that you have, so treat yourself kindly when you don’t feel one hundred percent.

Let Yourself Rest – Resting is so important for our mental wellbeing and physical, but we can feel almost guilty for taking time to rest and do nothing, especially if you’re looking after someone. Take half an hour, or any time you can spare, to just sit down in a comfy chair or lie down in bed and just be quiet and still. You could even do a guided meditation, mindfulness or just breathe deeply and notice the sounds around you.

Let Yourself Disconnect – It’s okay to have quiet time just to yourself. If you don’t feel up to talking to someone, you could try writing in a journal about how you feel. You don’t have to be good at writing, just let the thoughts flow out onto the page.

Step Away From The News – It’s important to stay up to date with the latest government guidelines on how to stay safe, but apart from that, you don’t need to know the ins and outs of every tiny detail about this challenging time. Spending hours scrolling on social media can be damaging to mental health for a variety of reasons, whether that be feeling overwhelmed by the negative news, or comparing yourself to how others are coping. You are doing the best you can, and that’s enough.

Meditate – Calm your restless mind with some quiet moments. The practice of meditation helps with much more than stress and anxiety. As you learn to focus on your breathing and body, you train your mind to redirect negative thoughts and stay present in the moment.

Here are 20 quotes on Kindness…

Quotes On Random Acts of Kindness

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” – Jackie Chan

“There are many different ways we can show kindness to others, and it doesn’t have to be in a big way. The simplest of things may make the difference.” – Catherine Pulsifer

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” -Mark Twain

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” -Barbara de Angelis

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” -Lucius Annaeus Seneca

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” -Henry James

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoy the rest of the week, but for now, see you next Wednesday!