Societies, society, and families are institutions that hold people together. Thanks to these institutions, we can progress and discover new paths for ourselves. Kindness is one of the pillars of these societies. That is why the International Day of Kindness is celebrated every year on November 13. Celebrated since 1998, this event was started by an initiative of NGOs who came together to promote kindness in different countries around the world. Besides being a principle of societal good, kindness is also associated with better mental health outcomes. But before learning about the relationship between kindness and mental wellness, let’s take a look at this year’s International Day of Kindness.
World Kindness Day 2022: What to Expect?
The theme for World Kindness Day 2022 is “Be Kind Whenever Possible”. This subject recognizes that kindness is not just an act of service or charity that is done occasionally but a way of life or an attitude towards life. Kindness is being friendly, generous, and considerate. Hence, understanding and wishing well for someone is to be kind to them. And you can practice (and benefit from) being kind to yourself, too.
To participate in this event, you can volunteer with and participate in one of the NGOs near you and spread awareness through social media. But most importantly, you can incorporate acts of kindness into your daily life and try to be kind whenever possible. Your kindness can help brighten someone’s day or help lift their mood. It can also improve or help you build better, healthier, and more supportive relationships with others (and yourself).
Read more: Ten reasons why kindness is essential
How does kindness improve mental health?
The first and most obvious benefit of kindness is that it nurtures healthy, more supportive relationships. But the psychological benefits you derive from these relationships are varied. Your loved ones can bring perspective into your life and help you maintain your composure during difficult times. If you have a voice support system, you will also feel more empowered to take action and live as you please. Social interaction also reduces the chances of isolation and fulfills the needs of belonging. Following kindness builds a better society because it spreads from one person to another.
Self-kindness is also essential to good mental health. It can be defined as a positive and responsible attitude towards yourself. This means that it includes your acceptance of yourself, including your flaws and imperfections, and the willpower to take action to achieve goals.
Read more: 7 Kindness Quotes That Inspire
conclusion
International Day of Kindness has been observed annually on November 13 since 1998. Kindness is an important value that binds communities and relationships together while strengthening them. It is also associated with positive mental health outcomes for the individual. Being as kind as possible can help you improve your quality of life, your confidence, your self-esteem, and your relationships.
However, an essential part of being kind is being kind to yourself. To practice self-kindness, you must begin by accepting and realizing yourself. Not sure how self-aware you are? Take this quiz to find out.
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