You may recognise the expression “it is better to give than receive”, but this is backed up by research which shows that people who are kind and compassionate see clear benefits to their wellbeing and happiness. Kindness can also help reduce stress and improve our emotional wellbeing. We all have so much going on in our lives, not to mention the current pandemic. This can see kindness pushed to one side, in favour of what is urgent or important right now.

It can be easy to signal kindness by posting online or following a trend, but harder to commit to kindness in our daily words and actions. However, if we take the time to be kind to other people, we can reap the emotional dividends. It can really make a difference and especially for people who are struggling with daily life. Now is an excellent time to re-imagine a kinder society that better protects our mental health and small changes can make a great difference.

Kindness can start by individual commitments to show kindness in our words and our actions. Choose to do something that helps others. Good deeds need not take much time or cost any money. All that is required is that they are motivated by a genuine wish to be kind.

Although acts of kindness for other people can make us feel good, we should also keep in mind why we are doing it – which is for their benefit not ours. Part of being kind is considering the feelings of others, so it is very important that your kindness is something which others will find helpful. Kindness should benefit both parties.
At Bushey Meads we have a ‘Mind to be Kind’ and it is worth remembering this as we settle back into the Autumn term.