The importance and benefits of being kind in todays age.
Location: United Kingdom
Aaron Campbell
One of my closest friends recently brought me the book on which one of our favourite TV shows is based. I hadn’t asked nor did I expect her to do it; she mentioned that she'd gone to the bookstore to buy herself a copy and decided to pick one up for me as well.
That act of kindness touched me deeply as it was nice to feel seen and considered. We live in a time where consumerism is all the rage, we are often encouraged to indulge and focus on ourselves and while self-care is vital, we often ignore the benefits that being kind can have. In this blog we'll explore why it's important to be kind and practice acts of kindness.
What does it mean to be kind and what are the benefits?
Kindness simply means to do something good that will benefit yourself or others, not because you want a reward or acknowledgement, but because you genuinely want to put some good out into the world. Kindness (even to ourselves) often requires a level of personal sacrifice. That could mean putting the needs of others before your own or prioritising something you’d rather not, and while that may not always sound ideal, the benefits kindness brings outweighs those moments of discomfort.
Research shows that there is a direct link between being kind and our mental health. Being kind can promote physiological changes in the brain linked with happiness. It makes sense, when we make others feel good about themselves, that we in turn feel better about ourselves. Studies also show that kindness is effective at reducing stress and improving our emotional wellbeing. For more about the benefits of kindness check out ‘What are the health benefits of altruism?’.
Why kindness matters in times like these
Random Acts of Kindness Day was created to inspire people to be more mindful and practice being kind more frequently. The importance of kindness cannot be overstated. We live in an age where we are constantly exposed to negative news and can often feel overwhelmed. Being kind spreads positivity which actively combats the negative cycles we can often find ourselves exposed to. Kindness is also known to reduce loneliness and isolation which in turn can help with dealing with negative emotions, it is easier to manage when we know we are not alone.
Kindness doesn’t have to cost a thing
Being kind is not about the amount of money or time you spend on yourself or others, but the intention behind the act. We practice kindness because we genuinely want to make a positive difference. Acts of kindness don’t have to be big or expensive, in fact, it’s often the little things that make the most difference, reaching out to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, giving someone who looks lost directions, these are just a few small examples of kindness that could really make someone’s day. For me, I always love seeing a “thinking of you message” from my friends or family and it never fails to put a smile on my face even when I’m having a bad day. If you need some inspiration, check out our 50 random acts of kindness that you can do today.
Don’t forget to be kind to yourself
Random acts of kindness don’t just have to be for other people, it’s also important for our own mental health and wellbeing that we are kind to ourselves too. Here are some ways I practice being kind to myself that you could try:
- Keep a list of things you have achieved or things you are grateful for so that when you're feeling down or don’t reach a goal, you can look back at all you have done.
- Make time in your day, even if just 10 minutes, to do something you enjoy like reading, dancing or in my case playing video games.
- Compliment and congratulate yourself, whether it’s finishing a big task or getting dressed up to go out. Positively reinforcing yourself can help to combat feelings of inadequacy we may feel about ourselves.
- Get outdoors, going for walks and being in nature can really boost our mental health. I like to take a walk and stick on an audiobook. It really helps to give my brain a much-needed break from being busy.
- Set boundaries. Being kind to ourselves is also about knowing when to say no and making time for rest, recovery and relaxation.