What is World Kindness Day?

World Kindness Day is the day observed annually to inspire kindness by encouraging people globally to do some good deeds for themselves and society. It is observed in around 28 countries globally including the USA, Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, India, and Italy among others.

History of World Kindness Day:

World Kindness Day was launched in 1998 by an organization called ‘The World Kindness Movement’. This body is a coalition of many nations’ kindness NGOs. In 2009, the day was observed for the first time in countries like Singapore, India, and Italy. In 2010, Kindness Day UK is launched by Mr. David Jamilly in the UK. In 2019, World Kindness Movement attains an official status as an NGO under Swiss Law. In Australia, it has been placed on the National School calendar that is followed by over 9000 schools.

The objective of World Kindness Day is to build a kinder and more compassionate world.

When do we celebrate World Kindness Day?

World Kindness Day is observed on November 13th every year. This day is generally observed as a holiday to enable participants to perform good deeds.

Why do we celebrate World Kindness Day?

In a world that is getting more and more self-centered, this day is a trigger that restores kindness by making the participants think about other people and beings. On this day, people come together to perform random acts of kindness. This day is also a reminder to be kind to yourself.

Benefits of Being Kind:

1. Makes you happy:

Have you observed your feeling after you have donated food to a needy, or helped a friend in need, or as basic as making someone smile? You feel good, isn’t it? Every small act of kindness has the power to make you feel good and create a sense of happiness in your life.

2. Reduces stress:

Studies have found the acts of kindness to be linked to an increased level of mental wellbeing. The simple acts of kindness boost the release of feel-good hormones called Seratonin which is a neurotransmitter responsible for the feelings of satisfaction and well-being. These activities help you feel worthy and help reduce stress levels.

3. Reduces isolation:

These simple acts of kindness help you build bonds with other people and thus helping you create a sense of belonging. You create a circle of people around you to establish an emotional bond with and engage with them in activities.

4. Creates a ripple effect:

Ever heard “Action speaks louder than words”? These good deeds by you inspire both the recipients and others around you to reciprocate them. This would create a ripple effect of kindness in the society you live in. The presence of social media in our lives and the no. of people we are connected to can amplify the impact of these activities. Do these good deeds and share them on social media. You never know there might be someone who feels extremely inspired by that and reciprocates the same.

5. Creates a positive outlook towards life:

If you feel down on your life, these deeds will expose you to many people who have far more challenges to deal with in their lives than you do. This creates a sense of gratitude for the things you have and creates a positive outlook.

6. What goes around…Comes around:

This isn’t just a popular song by Justin Timberlake. This has a deeper meaning- the more good you do for others, the more good you will receive from others. Doing good creates a lot of positive energy in yourself and others and this would come back to you from the beneficiaries of your acts or even total strangers.

Simple Deeds you can do on World Kindness Day:

You don’t need to have big pockets and shell out millions to do good, all you would need to have is a big heart. Here is a list of some deeds you can do to spread kindness on this day:

- Send a Thank You message to a friend or family member who has mattered in your life

- Appreciate someone or Give someone a compliment

- Reward your employees

- Donate food to a needy person

- Smile at a stranger

- Visit an orphanage or old age home

- Organize/participate in community cleaning activity

- Volunteer with an NGO

- Spend quality time with someone who might be lonely

- Give food to animals and birds

- Donate blood

- Donate money to a charity

- Donate blankets to homeless people

- Donate clothes to underprivileged people

- Share positive thoughts and posts on social media

- Order food for a food delivery personnel

- Adopt a pet

- Plant a tree

- Walk or run for a cause

- Help an elderly person carry their things

Conclusion:

Small acts of kindness go a long way- it is not only beneficial for us but also the society at large. In the fast-paced life, we have today, this day acts as a great break and motivates us to help others. Every small deed counts. All of these deeds put together to make the world a better place to live in. How are you going to celebrate World Kindness Day each year? Do let us know in the comments below.