Sunday 13 November is #WorldKindnessDay – a time to do good deeds and pledge acts of kindness. And whilst the KBPT team always advocates being kind to others, we want to make sure you’re kind to yourself too.
In 2021, the world’s largest study about kindness took place. More than 60,000 people participated in The Kindness Test on BBC Radio 4 and the findings included:
Kind acts are very common – three quarters of respondents said that friends and family are kind to them quite often or nearly all the time.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made us kinder – two thirds of people who took part in the study agreed that kind acts (e.g. helping your neighbours) had increased during this challenging time.
There is a link between kindness and wellbeing – the study aligned with other research that shows how acting kindly makes us feel good.
This is all great news and we really hope that you’ll be extra kind to your family, friends and colleagues on #WorldKindnessDay. But don’t forget to be kind to yourself! Here are KBPT’s self-care tips to help you prioritise yourself and look after your own physical and mental wellbeing.
Tell yourself that self-care is not selfish – you’re just as important as everyone else and, if you feel good, you’ll be better equipped to support the people around you.
Get more sleep – try going to bed an hour earlier and leave your phone in another room (so you’re not tempted to check Instagram “just one more time”…).
Clear the clutter to clear your head – get on top of your in-box, donate some clothes to charity and sort out your paperwork.
Up your water intake – buy a reusable water bottle and aim to refill it every hour. If you exercise regularly, it’s especially important that you stay hydrated.
Get outside – could you ride your bike to work or go for a walk during your lunch hour? Being out in nature doesn’t only have benefits for your physical health, it’s also a fantastic mood booster.
Keep a gratitude journal – noticing the positives in your day and writing them down can make you feel happier and more motivated.
Meet up with friends – staying connected is vital for your mental wellbeing but try not to rely on texts, DMs and phone calls too much. Instead, why not get a dinner, a gig or a weekend away in the diary?
Do some yoga – regular practice can improve your flexibility, reduce feelings of stress and even help you to sleep better.
Have a relaxing bath – lock the door, light a candle and soak your troubles away…
Listen to an uplifting podcast – choose one that makes you laugh or teaches you something new. If you’re short on time, listen to it while you’re on the train or cooking dinner.
If you’d really like to prioritise your health, why not start training with KBPT? Email kate@kbpersonaltraining.co.uk to arrange an informal chat
