Being kind to yourself and others is something we should all practise and a message that’s even more important during the current pandemic and lockdown.

World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13 November (Friday 13 November this year), and is marked by good deeds and pledging acts of kindness to make the world a better place. In the UK, Kindness Day UK was launched in 2010 and is organised by Kindness UK, a not-for-profit organisation.

If you wish to take part, you can pledge a good deed or share your acts of kindness on the Kindness UK website.

Here are some suggestions on how you can show kindness during lockdown (and remember being kind is not just for the day, but always):

1. Thank a colleague for their work by using the ‘Praise’ button on Microsoft Teams or sending a ‘thank you’ email to a staff member who deserves recognition.

2. Invite your friends list to ‘like’ the page of a local business to help it grow.

3. Write a LinkedIn recommendation for a co-worker or a connection.

4. Drop a note into an elderly neighbour to ask them if they need anything.

5. When working, be kind to yourself by taking well-deserved breaks away from the computer screen.

6. Organise a surprise virtual get-together for someone who’s going through a rough time.

7. Clear out your old clothes ready to take to a charity shop. If you don’t need it, give it!

8. Take time to check in with a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while.

9. Always say thank you – even for the small things that people do for you.

10. Take some time for yourself! Be sure to set some time aside in the week to do something you enjoy, even if it’s for 10 minutes!

 Share your ideas on how to show kindness to yourself and others with us at stories@kent.ac.uk