World Kindness Day is celebrated across the globe on 13 November every year. It’s a day to recognise the value of kindness and to pledge kindness to yourself, others and the world.

In this post, we’re going to look at some simple ways you can mark World Kindness Day 2023.

We’ll also look at the history of the kindness movement and how being kind can enrich your life and that of the people around you.

What is World Kindness Day?

World Kindness Day is a day that’s celebrated worldwide to encourage people to be kind to themselves and others.

The day is promoted by various organisations across the country, including World Kindness Australia.

The first World Kindness Day, which evolved into World Kindness Week, took place in 1997.

Since then, the movement has gained momentum in Australia, with World Kindness Week now included on the school calendar and significant international events being hosted here in Oz.

During the week, which kicks off with World Kindness Day on Monday (13 November), Australians are encouraged to do something kind in the workplace, at school or in the community.

The end goal is to make Australia — and the world — a better, kinder place.

Why is it important to be kind?

It’s important to promote being kind because kindness offers so many benefits, not just to the recipient but also to the person performing a kind act.

One review found that kindness helps people to feel connected and included, helping to build their resilience and ability to manage stress.

Another study discovered that people living with diabetes who practised kindness towards themselves had better blood sugar control and reduced feelings of negativity about their condition.

And kindness may even help you live longer. A study looked at the results of practising meditation based on loving-kindness and found that it had a slowing effect on the ageing process.

These examples show that kindness to yourself and others can boost both your emotional and physical well-being.

How you can celebrate World Kindness Day and Week

There are many ways you can celebrate World Kindness Day and Week. Take your pick from our suggestions, and feel free to think of some of your own!

At work

  • Launch a Kindness Day Award to recognise someone who has shown kindness or compassion at work. Ask employees to nominate colleagues and announce recipients of the award at a special coffee morning.
  • Run a kindness gift exchange just like Secret Santa, where everyone buys something for one of their colleagues anonymously. Set an affordable budget and have fun buying and receiving your gift.
  • Raise money for charity as a workplace through a cake sale, sponsored run or other event. This could be a local organisation, a charity that’s significant to your sector or one that’s simply close to your heart.

At school

  • Organise a kindness assembly to celebrate acts of kindness shown by students. This is a great opportunity to instil the importance of kindness and compassion at a young age and is a chance for children to recognise important life skills.
  • Set up a kindness committee to discuss ways of encouraging kindness in school life. Children will love the chance to air their ideas and get involved with organising events to promote kindness.
  • Hand out kindness wrist bands — customise plain wristbands in colours of your choice with the message “Be kind.” Silicone wristbands are a great choice for kids, as they are hypoallergenic and durable too. You can even opt for multicoloured wristbands for maximum impact.

In your community

  • Call on an elderly neighbour to find out if they need help with practical tasks or would just appreciate some companionship and time to sit and chat.
  • Next time you go for a coffee, pay for the person behind you in the queue as well as yourself. Or you could even buy a coffee for your hard-working barista!
  • Volunteer with a local charity to show you care. As well as being a way to show kindness to your community, this action will bring you rewards by giving you a sense of purpose and gratitude.

Celebrate World Kindness Day 2023 in Australia with wristbands

Sometimes the simplest gestures are the most heartfelt, so why not mark World Kindness Day with a special kindness wristband?

Take a look at the customisable wristbands in our online shop and choose a colour and style that inspires you.

You can have your wristband personalised with any message you like, whether that’s a simple acknowledgement of World Kindness Day or a thank-you for a specific gesture.

So, be kind to yourself or a loved one and order a customised and meaningful wristband today!