World Kindness Day: Four ways you can be kind to yourself

It’s that time of the year, folks: World Kindness Day is here!

Every year on 13 November, people around the globe celebrate World Kindness Day, which promotes the importance of kindness. Whether it’s greeting someone with a smile, volunteering at an animal shelter or simply saying “Hello”, this special occasion emphasises the joy that comes from spreading love and care.

Yet there’s also another layer to World Kindness Day that many overlook: in addition to encouraging you to be kind to others, it’s also a gentle reminder that you need to be kind yourself.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-COMPASSION

Oftentimes, in our mission to make the world a better place, we forget to extend the same compassion and goodwill towards ourselves.

There could be many reasons for this. Perhaps you’re overly harsh when it comes to making your own mistakes. Maybe certain circumstances in your life have led you to believe that self-kindness is selfish and that you’re not worthy of being shown an act of goodwill. Or possibly, you just naturally put others’ well-being above your own.

Overall, these are hard mindsets to break. And by not practising self-compassion, your mental health can take a huge hit, giving rise to anxiety, depression and/or stress. In turn, it can affect your day-to-day life for the worse.

FOUR WAYS TO NURTURE YOURSELF

As we celebrate World Kindness Day in South Africa, it’s imperative that you start being kind to yourself, beginning with:

1. POSITIVE SELF-TALK

Don’t let self-deprecation, harsh critiques of yourself and other negative thoughts take up your headspace. Instead, swap these out for positive affirmations, such as “I love who I am” and “I am stronger than I know.” It helps to keep a list of affirmations hung inside your cupboard or next to the bathroom mirror, where you can see them clearly and even say them out loud.

Also, be sure to remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments. Whether it’s something like “I completed a work task today” or “I’m good at making people laugh”, acknowledging your awesomeness every so often can boost your self-esteem.

2. SET BOUNDARIES

“Healthy boundaries,” says UNISA, “are the limits you place around your time, emotions, body and mental health to stay resilient, solid and content with who you are.”

By setting healthy boundaries for yourself – i.e. when it’s okay to say “No” – you can protect yourself from exploitation, set limits for others without feeling guilty and prioritise your well-being.

3. DON’T DWELL ON YOUR MISTAKES

Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is not to dwell on them, otherwise it can hold you back from fully living in the present. That goes doubly for lingering on past mistakes and criticising yourself over it to this day.

So, if you find yourself making a mistake, you need to acknowledge them, learn from them and move forward.

4. ENGAGE IN SELF-CARE

Indulging yourself isn’t a crime. It’s a way to reward yourself for an accomplishment or a chance to recharge yourself after a demanding day. By treating yourself once in a while, you can boost your self-esteem and reduce your anxiety-cum-stress levels.

Engage in self-care by partaking in a relaxing hobby, reading a book, taking a walk outdoors or exercising (gyming, yoga, meditation, etc). There’s also nothing wrong with a spa pamper day or eating a healthy, filling snack (or a chocolate, if you’re feeling for something sweet!).

KINDNESS STARTS WITH YOU

World Kindness Day is the perfect springboard for you to start practising these acts of self-kindness. The more you practise, the more your mental health will benefit. In turn, you will be in a good position to spread love and care to others.

After all, if you can’t be kind to yourself, then how can you be kind to somebody else?