With December ringing near and festive preparations top of mind, Sandra Bosacki is encouraging people to choose kindness as their guidepost for the months ahead instead of the pressure of perfection.<\/p>\n
The Brock University Professor of Educational Studies and kindness researcher says that in preparing for the holidays, many people place too much pressure on themselves to be social and choose the \u201cperfect\u201d gifts or host the \u201cperfect\u201d party.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the hectic chaos of holidays, it\u2019s important to be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion \u2014 be gentle with yourself,\u201d Bosacki says.<\/p>\n
She suggests taking restorative time alone to reflect and gather emotional energy instead of always being \u201con\u201d and social.<\/p>\n
Reducing stress, anxiety and loneliness during what can be a challenging and emotionally taxing time of year is beneficial for all ages, she says, though it\u2019s particularly important for the emotional health of young people.<\/p>\n
As World Kindness Day approaches on Friday, Nov. 13, Bosacki is shedding light on how to practice kind behaviours towards others and oneself \u2014 an approach she hopes people take 365 days of the year.<\/p>\n
Kindness is a mindset that \u201cstarts from within and is an act done with intention and meaning,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
A kind act can be any action that is done with intention and care to make another person \u2014 or oneself \u2014\u00a0feel better and improve moods, Bosacki says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis might be through helping someone with a task, comforting somebody facing a challenge or by being supportive and lending a friendly ear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bosacki suggests being kind to family and friends by:<\/p>\n
She also suggests being kind to oneself by:<\/p>\n
Bosacki also suggests practicing kindness to strangers through smiling\u00a0and saying good morning\/afternoon, offering help to someone who is carrying something heavy\u00a0or\u00a0offering your seat to someone on the bus or train.<\/p>\n
The impact of being kind with intention motivated by the heart and mind is exponential, she says. This leads to feelings of happiness and well-being, which in turn mitigates feelings of loneliness and anxiety.<\/p>\n