There are so many valuable reasons why kindness matters especially at this time of year.

The festive season can amplify feelings of loneliness, grief, and financial stress and a simple act of kindness reminds people they are cared for and not alone.

Spreading human kindness also shifts the focus from commercialism and stress back to the core values of the season which are about compassion, connection, and hope. This creates a positive ripple effect throughout our homes, workplaces and communities.

So, what can we do to spread kindness this festive season?

Here a few suggestions

Be kind to yourself

The end of the year can so often turn into a “frantic” time at work and home due to a combination of deadlines, financial requirements and last-minute demands. This can create a perfect storm of pressure and potential stress.

This pressure, if unchecked, could lead to chronic stress, which significantly weakens our immune system. In the work I do around human resilience I often hear people saying that illness seems to coincide with holidays! So, make sure you look after yourself and build in time for wellbeing activities like relaxation, quiet time, switching off from technology, getting outside in nature, stretching, exercise and eating healthily.

By looking after yourself you will be able to be at your best.

Avoid over committing yourself

Boundaries are essential and if we don’t respect our own boundaries why should anyone else?

It’s important to understand how much fuel we have in our personal tanks and to be protective of our energy levels. Kindly, yet firmly, decline invitations or requests that may push you past your capacity.

Use an appreciative phrase like, “That sounds great; however, I am at capacity and simply can’t take on anything else right now. I hope you understand, and I hope you have a wonderful time”. It’s far better to be honest and assertive rather than constant people pleasing because if we over commit, we end up getting stressed and even resentful.

Practice financial kindness

It will help to set a budget and spend within our means at this time of year to ensure we don’t begin the new year with financial stress. Looking for creative ways to economise and being mindful of not getting caught up in the commercialism of the festive season can be helpful too.

There are lots of great ways to show people we care that aren’t necessarily about material things. So instead of buying a material gift, use your specific skills (e.g., accounting, writing, web design, organising, child or pet minding, gardening, baking) and gift an I.O.U for something useful and a bit different.

Personally, I love home-made or creative gifts where lots of love and thought have gone into them.

Make donations

The cold weather often increases the demand for essentials. Donations help charities provide food, warm clothing, heating assistance, and shelter to the homeless, low-income families and vulnerable people. Many charities rely heavily on end-of-year giving to fund their operations throughout the year, as the demand for their services often increases during the holidays.

Volunteering is a great way to support people, and the festive season is a time when many charities and community organisations rely heavily on volunteers to support those in need. When people give and support, it strengthens the social fabric of the community. Our actions inspire others, creating a ripple effect of kindness and collective support for those who need it most.

Practise “eco-conscious” kindness

Plan to reduce waste by using recyclable materials and giving sustainable or experience-based gift. Also reduce food waste and ensure holiday recycling is properly sorted. Generally being mindful of unnecessary excess and waste at this time of year is so important.

Reach out to those who are alone

Call, text, or visit elderly neighbours, people recovering from illness, or friends who don’t have family nearby. Loneliness can be especially difficult this time of year.

The festive season also emphasises grief and how much we miss those we have lost. So, if you know someone who has experienced a bereavement take some time to reach out and offer support and most of all an empathetic ear. Talking can be powerful for those who have lost loved ones and being there and showing you care can go a long way to ease the loneliness and loss people may be feeling.

Be present

At gatherings, be truly present with people. Put your phone away and genuinely listen to people because giving someone our full attention is a profound act of kindness and shows we value them and what they have to say.

Be tolerant

Tolerance means respecting and accepting that other people do things differently and this could include religious observance, preferences for traditions, how much people behave around gifts, or even what people want to eat and when.

Gatherings and social events often mix people with different political opinions, lifestyle choices, or unresolved issues. Tolerance allows us to respect everyone’s right to their views without needing to agree with them. It may well help on occasions to agree not to discuss potentially contentious topics and steer conversations away from heated arguments by keeping the atmosphere light and friendly.

Forgive and let go

If you have old grudges, the season of goodwill is a great time to extend forgiveness and seek reconciliation, if safe and appropriate. Often, we may view forgiveness as a favour to others, however in truth, it is a gift to ourselves. Holding onto hurt, guilt, anger and resentment consumes more energy than choosing to forgive. By forgiving, we not only find peace of mind we also free ourselves to enjoy the festive season and spread goodwill and kindness.

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