Spreading love and extending acts of kindness are essential to maintaining connection with our loved ones, and it becomes even more commonplace in the month of February. Unfortunately, it’s more difficult to speak our love language the way we want to while we’re in the midst of a pandemic. This can be quite an obstacle and might even get our spirits down at times.
Fortunately, there are still some ways we can let our love flow in these difficult times. It’s completely possible; you just have to have a workaround. The following are some of our favorite ways of extending acts of love to others:
Spreading love to others.
Drop off a home-cooked meal
Depending on where you live, cooking with a loved one may not be in the cards just yet. A lot of us connect through food and creation, but there are still ways to achieve this. Drop off a home-cooked meal or baked item to your loved one along with a sweet note. We’re certain you’ll earn brownie points for this gesture.
Send a hand-written letter to someone special
While St. Valentine was no romantic, take note (no pun intended) from the French Duke of Orléans, the true romantic of the holiday. The Duke inspired the tradition of love notes on Valentine’s Day. Pick up some nice stationery, a quality pen, and pour your heart out. Hand-written letters never go out of style.
Ask someone if they need your help or support with anything
How often do we ask someone if they need our support or help with anything when it’s not prompted? The truth is, probably not enough. Even if someone doesn’t look like they might need it, reach out and ask if they’re okay or if there’s anything you can do for them. The other person will cherish your thoughtfulness.
Just call to say “I love you”
Stevie Wonder has the right idea. Instead of a text, give that special someone a call and make their day with a pleasant conversation. Better yet, deliver your vocal message through means like Facetime or Skype. Until we can start seeing our loved ones more regularly, this is a noteworthy substitution for the real thing.
Ease tension and stress with a massage
Almost everyone enjoys a nice massage, especially after a lot of stress (looking at you, 2020). This gesture is actually a win-win. Studies show that while you’re reducing your partner’s tension via massage, you’re simultaneously boosting your well-being through the act of giving.
If you don’t have access to a massage table, make a quiet, relaxing setting with soft music and candles. Dim the lights and pick a good quality oil (we make a great one!). Your partner will thank you later.
Your furry friends deserve extra love, too!
Whether it’s you being home more often, or their schedules being changed, your pet might feel confused or on edge with their routine being changed so abruptly. Here are ways you can show your pet(s) some love:
Brush their coat
This is a great way to keep your pet’s coat strong and healthy whilst strengthening your bond with them. Doing this regularly over time will reduce shedding and help spread natural oils over the coat to keep it free of irritants.
Bake them a homemade treat
Store-bought treats often contain a lot of fillers and preservatives, so why not bake a fresh treat for your furry friend? There are many recipes to choose from online. Just be sure that all of the ingredients in the concoction you’re going to make are pet friendly.
Take them on a scenic hike
This one might be mostly for dog lovers, but if your pet likes to go on walks with you, why not extend that daily walk around the neighborhood into a hike someplace new? A change of scenery will offer mental stimulation for your pet, and a new bonding experience for all involved.
Pet them for an extra ten minutes
As with massage, this is also a win-win. While your pet is on cloud nine from being shown affection, this will also boost your mood and lower your stress. Set aside an extra thirty minutes of cuddle time with your pet. They will appreciate it so much.
We couldn’t forget Mother Earth!
While this pandemic has been no fun for us, Mother Earth has been thriving due to less pollution. It’s important to keep this momentum up. Here is how you can help:
Go to the Beach
Sure, it’s always nice to go to the beach and soak up the view, but we really encourage you to go to the beach and partake in an ocean clean-up! This is a great way to contribute to the planet and help reduce the amount of pollution floating around in our oceans harming innocent animals.
Support sustainable businesses
Companies that are putting the planet over profit and making noble strides toward more sustainable operations deserve to be recognized and celebrated. We vote with our dollar, but we can’t continue to do so for centuries to come if we destroy our planet. Show these businesses that you appreciate their efforts by opting to shop with them over larger corporations. If you’re on a tight budget, you can still make an impact by sharing their content with friends and family on social media, or through word of mouth.
Plant a tree
Work with your community to see if there are any upcoming initiatives to plant a tree or two in your area. If not, perhaps you can partake in a community garden, or grow your own garden! However you choose to accomplish this, adding more green to our precious planet helps add oxygen to the air and keep pollution down. A win for the planet and a win for us.
Last, but certainly not least, YOURSELF.
As a flight attendant would say when they spout off the emergency instructions: “before you help others, you must help yourself.” Show yourself some love, you’ve been through a tough year. Here are some ideas:
Buy yourself a good book...or ten
If you’re still in quarantine (or even if you’re not) there is no better way to escape a daunting reality than by diving into a captivating book. Reading is known to fight off depression and aid with sleep among other things. Crack open a book and let your imagination run wild.
Spend more time in nature
Being inside so much can make us feel down, and it isn’t great for our immune system. Getting outside and going on a nature walk away from it all is a great way to clear your head and get your needed vitamins from the sun. Bonus points if you’re able to make it through the entire hike without checking your phone.
Start a gratitude journal
Even if it’s hard to see the bright side at times, there is always something to be grateful for. The challenge: record things you are grateful for every day (the more entries per day the better). When you are feeling down or discouraged, look back on these entries. Essentially, you’re shifting your way of thinking to focus on positive memories and things that you’re grateful for.
Learn a new hobby or skill
There is no better time to learn a new skill than right now when we typically have some extra time on our hands. Learning keeps your brain healthy, boosts your confidence, and teaches you to be adaptable. By going out of your comfort zone, you might realize you feel more motivated and renewed from your new-found knowledge. You just might discover something you really love in the process!
We hope our ideas help you feel inspired to go out and do something kind. Let us know how you’re spreading kindness!
