17 February is Random Acts of Kindness Day, and now is the ideal time to get children involved in thinking about how they might be able to help others. In these unsettling times, it seems more important than ever that we look for ways to help each other. According to the Mental Health Foundation:
“Research shows that helping others can be beneficial to our own mental health. It can reduce stress, improve our emotional wellbeing and even benefit our physical health.”
Obviously, during Lockdown, you may be limited in the scope of your random acts, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Send a letter or card to an elderly neighbour or relative
- Plant some bulbs in pots and leave them in places within your locality, with a message that they are free to anyone who would like them
- Donate to your local food bank
- Draw pictures for residents of a local care home
- Donate to a charity
- Compliment someone
- Let someone go ahead of you in a queue
- Pick up some litter
- Make a point of smiling and saying 'Hello' to the people you pass on your walks
For more ideas, take a look at:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/random-acts-kindness
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/small-acts-of-kindness/
Posted by: Catherine Wrench
Date: 3 February 2021