Although we try our best every day to do something positive, it’s not always our top priority. Sometimes, we put our work before our mental health. Other times, our calendars may be so booked up with festive celebrations with loved ones that we don’t stop to consider the people who are alone. This is why this year, we’re encouraging you to participate in the Do Good December movement with us.
This short video from Vanessa King, Head of Psychology at Action for Happiness, explains what the Do Good December movement is all about:
Offer to help someone who is facing difficulties at the moment
Not everyone is vocal about their struggles. Many people find it rather challenging to ask for assistance when they need it. That’s why it’s important that we personally reach out to somebody and ask them if they need help with anything. You could be the person who provides them with the support that nobody else has offered to give.
Support a charity, cause, or campaign you really care about
There are many great charities and non-profit organisations that you can get involved with. Perhaps you could donate to a local charity, where even the smallest donation could make a big difference. Is there a cause that’s close to your heart and you’d like to contribute towards its progression? Donate today and enjoy knowing that you’ve made a difference.
This year for the Do Good December movement, we’ve donated £50 to 12 different charities, chosen by the Avrion team. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to find out which charities each of us chose, and how you can get involved too. We’ll be rounding up all the great causes in our final blog of the year.
Leave a positive message for someone else to find
This may sound strange at first, and you may not have previously considered writing a message and leaving it for somebody to find. However, those few seconds it would take you to write a message could completely turn someone’s day around. Whether you write a complimentary comment on the bill at a restaurant, or leave a note on the table of a coffee shop after your morning brew, gifting positivity to a stranger poses no harm to you – and does a lot of good for someone else.
Give kind comments to as many people as possible today
Everybody loves a compliment. Not everyone is great at receiving them (guilty as charged), but hearing positive affirmations from another person can make somebody feel better about themselves. Tell a stranger that you love their style. Give your compliments to the chef. Let your friend know that they’re doing a great job and that you’re proud of them. It could be just the thing that they needed to hear. a complimentary comment on the bill at a restaurant, or leave a note on the table of a coffee shop after your morning brew, gifting positivity to a stranger poses no harm to you – and does a lot of good for someone else.
Listen wholeheartedly to others without judging them
Often the question “How are you?” is asked. Perhaps even daily. Rarely, somebody follows up with “Honestly, how are you?” This repetition could be the invitation that a person needs to confide in something that they are struggling with. It’s not easy to tell somebody how you feel. So, provide the person you’re speaking with patience and comfort. You don’t need all of the answers. Sometimes all a person needs is for someone to listen.
Give thanks – list the kind things others have done for you
During the chaos of life, we forget to stop and think about the things that we are thankful for – and the people to whom we are grateful. Therefore, we encourage you to pick up a pen and paper, and write a list of the kind things others have done for you. It could be as small as the time your neighbour baked cookies for you when you were unwell. Or, you could mention when somebody opened the door for you at the supermarket when you were carrying too much. By recognising and appreciating others’ acts of kindness, you become motivated to be the person who somebody would write on their list.
Ask for help and let someone else discover the joy of giving
As mentioned before, many of us struggle to ask for help – even when we need it most. However, we can reassure you that if a loved one or friend of yours was aware that you were struggling, they’d want you to tell them and receive their support. Wouldn’t you? We understand it may be difficult, but speak to somebody you trust today and let them help you. It can be much easier to write down how you feel and recite it – as opposed to verbalising your emotions and thoughts.
Contact someone who may be alone or feeling isolated
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the festive season encourages people to get together and celebrate with joy and merriment. While many people anticipate this festivity and greatly enjoy it, others may dread this time of year and the decline in their mental health that follows. Some people simply have nobody to celebrate with and are on their own. Others may have many people around them, but due to losing a loved one or being unwell, they still feel alone. This is why spreading kindness to everyone is so important. Not everyone’s loneliness is obvious.
Help others by donating something that you don’t need
A good deed that you may have been putting off for some time is donating the things that you no longer need. Perhaps you could donate clothes that you don’t wear often enough or have grown out of to somebody who needs them. Maybe you have a stack of books that you’ve read that somebody else could enjoy. Do you still have all of your childhood toys? Donating just one to a family who can’t afford toys for their child could make all of the difference.
Choose to give or receive the gift of forgiveness
Forgiveness can be a complicated concept. Are you holding onto a grudge for something that somebody did to you a while ago? Do you carry around guilt every day for something that you did that upset someone? It’s time to let that go. Sometimes, a simple “I’m sorry” and a recognition for your wrong-doing can ease someone’s upset and change their opinion of you. Accepting one’s remorse and forgiving their actions could be the step forward that opens up opportunities in your life – including peace.
Let someone know how much you appreciate them and why
Often, we present our gratitude with a simple “thank you”. However, we rarely let somebody know how much we appreciate something that they did, or all of the little things they continue to do. Let them know today. You could pick up the phone and tell them exactly how much you appreciate them. Perhaps a written letter is more your style? Sometimes, you don’t need words at all. Bake them a cake in their favourite flavour (shop-bought will work, too!) Surprise them on a day that they’re feeling down and give them your biggest hug. It’s often the smallest acts that play the biggest role.
Treat yourself with kindness
Whilst gifting positivity to others during the Do Good December movement (and at any other time!), it’s crucial that you save some for yourself. When we are focusing on ensuring that everybody around us is okay, we forget about ourselves. Buy yourself a present. Give yourself a break. Most importantly, be kind to yourself.
Further Information
If you are struggling this December, please call 116 123 for the Samaritans helpline. If you find it difficult to speak on the phone, you can email jo@samaritans.org and you’ll receive a response within 24 hours.
If you’re feeling inspired by this blog, make sure you take part in the Do Good December movement. There are so many things you can do!
For any questions you may have, please contact us here.
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