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Many religions teach us to be kind and to give to others. But there are other reasons why you should practice kindness. There are many reports that suggest kindness is ultimately good for your health – mentally and physically.
So, ahead of World Kindness Day (13 November) and while the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) is in the news we have created a list of kind, inexpensive things you can do for your loved ones, strangers, and the environment to ensure we live in a better world.
1. Do a clean out
With Christmas coming up you’re bound to get more stuff. We often have more stuff than we need so why not do a clear out and donate to a charity. Look at the website forgood.co.za, it has loads of charities asking for donations and other items to help with their good causes and events.
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2. Donate your rewards points
If you have some rewards points such as eBucks or Pick n Pay Smart Shopper points you can donate them to a charity or person in need. With Smart Shopper points, for instance, you can donate your points at a Smart Shopper kiosk or donate the points through the app. Partner organisations include the SPCA, Pick n Pay School Club, Age in Action, Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa and more.
3. Adopt, don’t shop
Of the 14.9 million dogs and cats in South Africa, 4.1million are considered strays according to Mars Petcare’s State of Pet Homelessness Index.
If you’re thinking of getting a pet this Christmas for the family, consider getting one from an animal rescue centre instead of buying one from a breeder. It can be difficult to go through a vetting procedure as rescue centres will want to do home visits to ensure your home and family are suitable for a specific pet.
4. Donate blood
According to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) less than 1% of South Africans are active blood donors. It’s important that the SANBS gets regular donations of blood as a unit of blood only lasts 42 days after donation and South Africa needs, on average, 810,000 units of blood annually.
Donating blood could save a life. To find out where your nearest local donor centre is go to sanbs.org.za/donor-centres/.
5. Recycle more
Only 10% of waste gets recycled in South Africa according to Stats SA and there are millions of tonnes of waste ending up in landfill every year. To help saves the environment and to ensure that we don’t one day live on a massive waste dump, it’s important start recycling in the home. Why not try and get your estate on board to create a plastic free environment too?
Recycling may sound like an easy endeavour but it can be especially confusing to interpret what the various symbols mean, so it’s important to brush up your knowledge before you embark on a planet saving mission like this.
