On this World Kindness Day, 13th November, discover what can you do to help others and yourself through hard times.
Choosing to spread kind acts can boost not only other people’s spirits, but your own as well. In a time when our community needs more support than ever, consider spreading random acts of kindness to bring togetherness and comfort. Acts of kindness have been proven to be good for our health, reducing stress and improving emotional wellbeing, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Here’s what acts of kindness can do for you and what you can do for others this World Kindness Day.
Home is where the heart is
Sharing acts of kindness creates a sense of belonging and purpose in the giver and receiver. As humans are community driven creatures, dating back to prehistoric times in the caves, feeling like we’re a dedicated tribe member gives us a sense of purpose in life.
Come together
Another benefit is the reduction of loneliness, an integral factor to your health proven in a 2014 study by Stanford Medicine, which concluded that a lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure. Not only are kind acts like volunteering a great way to meet people, but if you can see the impact your kind act creates you may find that you’re not so lonely after all.
The gift of giving
There’s plenty of hardship in the world which feels insurmountable compared to our will to change it, but every kind act matters greatly to those who receive it. Whether you are performing acts of kindness at a global reach or within your local community you have changed that person’s world – if only for a moment of joy. These pockets of joy or gratitude can help to alleviate stress from the mind and provide greater perspective and purpose in our daily lives.