how kindness boosts mental health
We’ve shared about bullying and how children who are bullied or feel excluded are at a higher risk for negative mental health outcomes. Now, we’re focused on improving children’s mental health through kindness.
Teaching kids about kindness and modeling it can build mental wellness. Kindness can build a sense of unity in a group and help develop healthy relationships. Strong relationships help protect mental health.
Research shows that kindness, whether toward others or ourselves, can:
- Lower stress
- Improve friendships
- Help build self-esteem
- Raise feelings of happiness
One way to start is by teaching kids to be kind to themselves. Take time to talk at a meal or during a drive with the kids in your life about what they like about themselves.
- Encourage them to come up with at least three things.
- Feel free to say things that you like about them as well.
- And be prepared for them to challenge you to come up with a list about yourself.
free journal download
Consider making this a daily or weekly practice! It can help challenge negative thought patterns. Download our journal page to help practice.
Once you have pages filled out, looking back through the journal with your child may help remind them of the many ways that they are awesome.
join the On Our Sleeves community
The mission of On Our Sleeves is to provide every community in America access to free, evidence-informed educational resources necessary for breaking stigmas about child mental health and educating families and advocates. For more information, visit OnOurSleeves.org.
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