World Kindness Day: Be Kind to Yourself and Others

World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself and to the world. This day, celebrated on November 13 of each year, has the purpose to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. In years past, we encouraged you to smile at a stranger, pay it forward and buy someone a coffee, or connect with a friend over dinner. But in a world of mask wearing and physical distancing, where we are asked to stay inside and cover our face, how do we mark this day in a meaningful way?  Below are some ideas to be kind and still protect yourself and your family:

Ways to Be Kind to Your Community During Coronavirus / COVID-19

 Be a good neighbour.  Rake their leaves, mow their side of the lawn, drop off baking on their doorstep. Be especially aware of elderly neighbours and people that live alone.

Support local businesses. Order takeout or buy gift cards for later from your favourite local restaurant.
 

Ways to Be Kind to Your Friends and Family During Coronavirus

Eat and drink well. Open the old cookbooks that just sit on your shelf. Cook a creative meal with the entire family. Open that bottle of wine you have been saving and have it with the takeout you ordered. Let the kids have that extra treat.

Reconnect. Reach out to 3 people you have not connected with in a while and write them an email to tell them what they mean to you.

Pick up the phone. Call grandma, your favorite aunt, your best friend. We are going to need to do better than merely texting right now.
 

Ways to Be Kind to Yourself During Coronavirus

Get outside. Take a hike, breathe in the fresh air, go to a park. Just be in nature and take some moments to breathe.

Stay calm.  Take this time to rest and restore your mind, body, and soul. Watch Netflix, and don’t feel guilty about it.

Shut off the Phone/TV. Go an evening screen free. Put the phone on silent and don’t read headlines or emails. Spend some time reading or listening to a podcast. Disconnect from technology and take a break to be kind to yourself.

This blog post was adapted from inspirekindness.com