Kindness and COVID
In response to COVID-19 the ‘Live Up’ COVID COMMUNITY was set up to support our communities with practical wellbeing resources that can be used for these extraordinary circumstances of social distancing, community lockdown and quarantine. This article looks at the ‘giving’ kindness one of the 5 ways to wellbeing.
‘Caremongering’ instead of ‘scaremongering’
While the world is put on hold with COVID-19 it can all feel very overwhelming and out of control. At this time there is uncertainty and fear and we can get caught up in the panic and hysteria.
This is a chance to reset and focus on the things we can control and being kind is one of them. There is even a new trend called ‘caremongering’ instead of ‘scaremongering’ which has started in Canada. Here is a link to a BBC article written by Tom Gerken”Coronavirus: Kind Canadians start caremongering trend”.
How can we be kind? What simple acts of kindness can we do?
Take Care of Yourself
Firstly, look after your own health ‘Selfcare is not Selfish’ the world needs healthy people so they can help others, therefore practice self-kindness and self-care. Check that you have attended to your own physical (sleep, food, exercise), mental and emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. What I know from living through the Christchurch Earthquakes is that this could be a long haul so look after yourself!
Take Care of Others
Follow the latest Ministry of Health Guidelines COVID -19 (these are New Zealand Guidelines only). Make sure the actions that you take do not compromise the health of others.
Check on others. Are their basic physical needs being met? Do your friends, neighbours and the vulnerable in your community need food, water and supplies?
Not only do we need our physical needs met but can you help with the emotional, mental, spiritual and social needs of others?
Connect
Although physical connection is challenging with social distancing and isolation, make use of technology and call, text, message to check in and check on others. Sometimes all we need is to chat to someone to not feel so alone.
Use social media platforms in a positive way, so THINK before you post. THINK is an acronym for: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind.
You can still smile, wave and show people you are there it’s just from a distance. Connecting in a way that doesn’t compromise others’ health in one of the kindest things you can do.
Listen to each other, share experiences and feelings. Be empathetic and acknowledge tough situations but don’t wallow in them. Recognise small accomplishments and celebrate small wins and simple things.
Set up a community support group.
Give
Even though you may have to keep your distance you can still donate food, create care packages (include toilet paper), help with errands and jobs. Just stick to the Ministry Health guidelines to ensure what you are doing is not compromising your health or others.
What other simple acts of kindness can we do?
Looking after each other, cooperating, collaborating and contributing to the greater good is going to get us through this. We all want to feel safe, secure, seen and soothed and with care, kindness and compassion we just might get there.
Here is a COVID KINDness Planning Sheet Template that you are welcome to use which links to this post.
Please feel free to email: megan@liveuptoyou.org with your kindness ideas and these can be collated and shared.