The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 is “kindness”. This is particularly apt given the current COVID-19 situation, as it’s certainly true that we could all use a little bit more kindness in our lives during these turbulent times.
So how can you get involved?
The good news is that there’s no formal definition of what constitutes an act of kindness, so you can find lots of ways to interpret this! One of the most obvious ways to express kindness is through donation to a charity or someone in need. This could be financial, or simply donating your time to help the cause or a lonely or isolated member of your community. If you don’t have the time or money to spare at the moment, donating clothes or unwanted gifts to a charity shop is an equally kind gesture – with the added bonus that it helps the environment too.
Kindness to friends and family
If you’re looking for ways to express kindness closer to home, think about who amongst your friends or family might be struggling. Remember that your quiet, low-maintenance friends and relatives still need love and support too; just because they aren’t expressing their frustration or anxiety – they could still benefit from a kind gesture, text message or call, just as much as your more vocal friends.
Kindness at work
As the return to normal working life begins, there are lots of opportunities for kindness here too. For instance, why not talk to a new member of staff; it can be very unsettling to start a new job at the best of times, so try and help them settle in. Help those who aren’t familiar with video conferencing, or other new technology, to get to grips with it. Even on your commute – remember that lots of people may now have switched to walking or cycling. Try and be a considerate road user; be kind rather than chastising people who may be struggling to adapt to this new method of travel.
Being kind to yourself
Above all else – remember that this week is about being kind to yourself too. Be mindful of the way you talk about yourself, and make a point of challenging any negative self-talk. Reflect on acts of kindness that you have performed and received, and allow yourself to feel grateful for all that you have. Another act of kindness to yourself is to allow yourself time to indulge in the things you enjoy, and don’t feel like you can’t allow yourself some down-time. After all, a day practising a hobby or sat on the sofa watching your favourite shows is a great way to be kind to yourself and to look after your own mental health and wellbeing. But another way is to consider what positive steps you would like to put into place to lead a happier, healthier, more satisfied life, and making provisions to achieve this.
