Kindness starts with YOU!
We've heard the worthwhile saying "Be kind" many times. But what does it mean to be kind to others and yourself?
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and during this time we invite you to think about what kindness to self and others may look like.
Kindness to self
Self-kindness can be practiced in many ways and is something even adults struggle with. You can practice self-kindness by:
- Taking a nap when you are tired
- Journaling when you're feeling uncomfortable emotions
- Performing breathing exercises when you are stressed
- Talking to a trusted friend or adult
These activities are small but important ways to show yourself the kindness you deserve.
Self-kindness also means knowing your worth and knowing that your needs are important. You can express this by:
- Setting healthy boundaries with acquaintances, family, friends, and in romantic relationships.
- Speaking up for yourself in a respectful and clear way. At first, this may feel uncomfortable, but the more you practice, the easier it will get.
Kindness to others
Just as self-kindness can be expressed in many ways, so can kindness to others.
Kindness can be based on what you think is kind or what someone else sees as kind. For example, you may not think twice about helping someone pick up a dropped lunch tray. In fact, it might just feel like the right thing to do, but for that person, you may have just turned their bad day around.
Others may see kindness in a gift, actions, encouraging words, or a listening ear. Kindness is made of small moments, large actions, and everything in between and it’s something that everyone deserves.
If you are ever struggling to make a tough decision, choosing kindness is always a safe bet. By choosing kindness, standing up for ourselves and for others, we can help decrease bullying, which affects 1 in 5 high school students.
How you can combat bullying
Children who are victims of bullying may suffer long-term consequences like trouble developing appropriate social skills and can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making anti-bullying efforts an investment in the present and future well-being of children everywhere.
RESOURCE: These 10 tips, offered by The Kids Mental Health Foundation (KMHF.org), can help you teach kids how to combat bullying.
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