How kindness helps our mental health

19th May 2020

Mental Health, Podcast, Self-care, Wellbeing

How kindness helps our mental health

On today’s episode, I’m going to be talking about Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s theme of kindness.

I decided to talk about this as it’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May 2020. This is a week in the UK used to raise awareness of mental health and mental ill-health. It’s also a time to inspire action and promote the positive message of good mental health for all. I wanted to explore how kindness helps our mental health and that of others.

MHAW was established in 2001 and is run by the Mental Health Foundation, and this year’s theme was changed from Sleep to Kindness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the episode

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In today’s show, I talk about

Why should we care about kindness and how kindness helps our mental health [02:10]
About my free 30-minute coaching calls and how they can help you. [03:30]
Some kind acts you can easily do at the moment. [04:01]
One thing that I think is very kind and also good for business. [07:40]
Acts of kindness acts you can do in your workplace, even at a distance. [09:45]

Statistics linked to kindness

Kind people, according to research, have 23% less cortisol, the stress hormone.
They also age more slowly as a result, than the average population who may not show kindness as regularly.

Resources

Acts of Kindness Poster
Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Awareness Week
Random Acts of Kindness Website
If you feel financially able donate money to Crisis, Shelter, your local food banks, hospices, NHS funds and international charities like Medecin Sans Frontieres or Doctors of the World
Set up calls for isolated groups. Ask your local Age UK how you could help.
Shout Text Line
Join your local Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group.
Support local businesses by buying vouchers for future use if you can/feel able to.
Check out Patreon and support our artists, writers, crafters and musicians.
Find out what your food banks need at The Trussell Trust’s website
Blog: Do this one thing to build Trust in Your Organisation
Mental Health at Work
123Greetings

Quotes

I do think that people and organisations that have been kind during COVID-19 pandemic and put their staff and customers first will be remembered and hailed as beacons of good practice.
I think it’s easier to be kind than unkind.
By being kind to ourselves and to others. There are lots of benefits for our mental health.
It’s also key to remember that this is not business as usual, as much as people are trying.
Send a motivational message to someone who might be struggling, and even if you don’t hear back from them, that’s okay. But just to know that someone’s thinking of them, it’s a real act of service.
If you feel able to and can afford it, buy a few extra canned goods, have a look and see what your local food banks need.

Reflect on an act of kindness

Share your stories and pictures (with permission) of kindness during the week using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Use our resources in your family, school, workplace and community to join with thousands in practising acts of kindness to yourself and others during the week
Share your ideas on how you think we could build a kinder society that would support our mental health using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
How does kindness help your mental health?

Work with me

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My aim is to support you with your work-life balance challenges so can spend time in the way you want to. If this feels like something you need, then please

book a mutually convenient time here: https://calendly.com/leylao/30min. I very much look forward to speaking to you and getting you on your journey.