Did you know that by embracing acts of kindness each day, you contribute to a more compassionate and connected world? Today, Wednesday 13 November, marks World Kindness Day - a day to celebrate, encourage, inspire, and engage with everyday kindness.
Kindness, one of the University’s values, is a powerful tool for improving individual and collective wellbeing. World Kindness Day encourages us to recognise the wonderful ways in which our community embraces acts of kindness to make Sussex a kind place to work and study.
Dr Rona Hart, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and course leader of the UK’s first-ever university course on the Psychology of Kindness and Wellbeing at Work, shares evidence-based practical tips for incorporating kindness into your everyday life:
- Engage in small acts of kindness: Simple gestures, like holding the door for someone, offering a genuine compliment, or checking in on a friend, can make a significant impact on the giver, the receiver and even on those witnessing the act. They create a spread of positivity across social networks, fostering a sense of connection and empathy.
- Cultivate a habit of kindness: You can develop the habit of kindness by setting an intention to perform one kind act each day. Journaling these acts can further reinforce the habit, helping you become more aware of your kindness. Over time, kindness becomes second nature, enabling us to enjoy its many benefits: increased wellbeing and happiness, stronger relationships, reduced conflicts, better performance, heightened cooperation, and lower stress levels.
- Kindness begins with self-kindness: Self-kindness, an essential form of kindness, can transform how we relate to ourselves and others. It involves treating oneself with the same kindness and understanding as we would a friend, particularly in times of failure or difficulty. Self-kindness reduces self-critical thoughts and promotes resilience, enabling individuals to maintain a stable emotional state and engage more positively with others. The link between self-kindness and improved mental health is well-documented, with findings indicating that self-kindness reduces anxiety and depression.
- Be a kindness advocate in our community: Kindness serves as a powerful driver of social cohesion and collective wellbeing in communities. Being a kindness advocate involves organising or joining small initiatives where kindness is acknowledged and celebrated. This can include sharing photos from events like local clean-ups or fundraisers, posting kindness stories on shared platforms, recognising individuals for their good deeds in meetings or events, or writing gratitude cards or letters. Research suggests that acts of kindness foster psychological safety, trust, and mutual support, strengthening connections and enhancing people's sense of belonging, ultimately inspiring others to engage in similar acts.
- Promote a culture of kindness: When we actively participate in acts of kindness, we help establish kindness as a core value and a social norm within our social circles. Each act reinforces the idea that kindness is not just a personal choice but a shared standard of behaviour, one that shapes our interactions and sets expectations for how we treat one another. As kindness becomes ingrained in daily life, it encourages others to follow suit, creating an environment where kindness is celebrated, valued, and naturally expected.
Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Civic Engagement) and founder of the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness, says: “Kindness at work is important because it is fundamentally about human connection. It’s about seeing the human being in every interaction, and when we do that, we make a connection with each other. In turn, those connections make a huge difference to how we feel, and also to how we achieve.
“Instilling kindness at work starts with noticing and celebrating it. Too often, kindness can seem like an optional extra, as if it’s a luxury that only comes into play when the core business has been done. But in my opinion, kindness is the core business, because it’s what brings people together!”
Other ways to embrace kindness this week
Play the Kindness Bingo organised by the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness.
Book your free tickets for the Kindness Unites summit, which is happening today, Wednesday 13 November, and is hosted by Helen Rimmer, Sussex graduate from our unique PG Cert on the Psychology of Kindness and Wellbeing at Work, and a featured talk by Dr Rona Hart and others. Some talks will be available after the event for those registered.