Giving Tuesday is a global initiative that started as a movement to shift the sentiment around this time of year from buying to giving – focusing on giving back to your community and doing some good.
On Tuesday 1 December, people all over the world are encouraged to engage with charities and their communities by donating time or fundraising for a good cause, doing acts for kindness for others or giving back to make the world a better place. However you choose to participate, generosity isn’t about size. Every act of kindness, big or small, can make a positive impact.
Studies have shown that the act of giving can boost serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain, which are known as the “feel good, happy hormones”. By being kind and giving back, not only will you brighten someone else’s day but you’ll feel good too.
We’ve got together a few easy ways you can be kind to get you started:
- Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while
- Make a cup of tea for someone you live with
- Volunteer in the local community
- Send a positive text to family or friends who might be struggling
- Help with a household chore at home
- Post a note through your neighbour’s door to check in with them
- Arrange to watch a film at the same time as a friend and video call
- Contact someone you haven’t seen in a while and arrange a phone catch up
- Spend time playing with your pet
- Donate to foodbanks
- Offer to skill share with a friend via video call – you could teach guitar, dance etc.
- Offer support to vulnerable neighbours
- Send someone a takeaway or cook your housemates a meal
- Support your local businesses
- Donate old winter coats to the homeless