Library Service Blog

Wellbeing Wednesday - K is for Kindness

Welcome to Wellbeing Wednesday in the Library! Each Wednesday, we will blogging about different aspects of wellbeing and connecting you with books or web-based information to help support your wellbeing. This week we are talking about kindness. 

We can be kind in many ways.

It could be an offer of help, an extra level of thoughtfulness or a bold gesture! The common theme is placing someone else at the centre of the thought or action and putting their needs before our own.

It could be having your mums favourite biscuit in when she next visits or going with a friend to a new class or group until they feel confident enough to go on their own. It could be remembering your cousins favourite flowers and surprising them with a bunch of tulips for no reason! 

We can extend our kindness into everyday actions.  

·         Saying hi to a classmate on a module that you have never chatted to before. 

·         Holding the door open for an approaching person (but gauge the distance... don’t make them run!). 

·         Giving up your seat on a busy bus for another person. 

We could even go a little further and consider volunteering your time to an organisation whose goals you value. Find out more with Sheffield Hallams Students Union! 

Here are a few resources to get you thinking about everyday acts of kindness. 

·         Kindness Matters guide from the Mental Health Foundation 

·         Hasson. G. (2018). Kindness : change your life and make the world a kinder place  

·         Ballatt, Campling, P., & Maloney, C. (2020). Intelligent kindness : rehabilitating the welfare state.  

Our wellbeing levels can differ at different times, and it is OK to ask for support. Each of us may prefer to get support in different ways. Reading or researching around an issue, connecting with a group whether it be in person on online or speaking on a one to basis with a trusted ally. Find out more about Student wellbeing, support and activities.