Random Acts of Kindness in Lockdown

Hi everyone, Ash here

This week is Acts of Kindness week in the US (it's actually Random Acts of Kindness Day today!) so I thought I would talk about kindness in today's email, in particular how we can find different ways to offer kindness during the current situation, where many of us find ourselves in lockdown. Normally we would talk about random acts of kindness and suggest doing things such as offering your seat on the tube, paying for a coffee for the person behind you or donating items to your local charity shop. These small, random acts of kindness and generosity not only make you feel good, it's been proven that it helps to strengthen mental health through the knowledge that you are doing something kind for others. So, with our current lockdown situation, what random acts of kindness can we do to get the same benefit? Here are some suggestions!

Acts of Kindness you can do from home!

1. Send a message to a loved one expressing gratitude for them. It will make them feel amazing and you will notice how great it makes you feel, too.

2. Send someone a gift (it could be anonymous if you want!). Perhaps it's something you bought, or maybe you made?

3. Prioritise yourself - do one thing today that's just for you. When we are kind to ourselves it becomes a lot easier to be kind to others.

4. Donate to charity (perhaps to one you have never donated to before, or a smaller charity). No matter how much, we promise it will make a difference.

5. Leave reviews for your favourite businesses and organisations - this is especially kind for small businesses who rely on all the support they can get right now! Just 5 minutes of your time leaving a review on Google, Facebook or a comment on Instagram can make a big difference to them.

6. Compliment a co-worker and let them know how the job they do has helped you. Remind them what they are great at, it may be just what they need to hear today.

7. Selling something? Could you gift it instead? Or sell it for a cheaper amount so someone gets a bargain or is able to buy something they couldn't normally afford.

8. On your socially distanced walks why not take some gloves and a bag and pick up some litter in your local area to help your community space be cleaner and litter free. (Please be safe while you do this!)

9. Contact an old friend or someone from your past who inspired you - perhaps an old friend or teacher? Let them know that their support and guidance helped shape you to become the person you are today - strong and loved by many.

These are just a few suggestions. Do you have any that you could share with us? If so, please hit the reply button and we will share them on Instagram!

It doesn't take much to be kind, it's actually one of the easiest things to do for most people if they take the time to offer kindness to themselves. With this in mind, do not neglect your own feelings and emotions, and what is important to you. In the words of RuPaul, with an added kindness twist, "If you can't be kind to yourself, how the hell are you gonna be kind to someone else?!"

Have an amazing day!

Sam and Ash

(She/Her and He/Him)