Acts of caring are uplifting for both the giver and receiver. And even when we simply witness someone being kind, our happiness grows. What better reason for spreading smiles, caring for others and sharing stories of kindness on World Caring Day?

World Caring Day

World Caring Day takes place this coming Sunday. Its roots go back to 1997, when a software engineer helped a family struggling through a premature birth by creating a website – years before anyone had heard of social media. Sona Mehring’s website surrounded Baby Brighid’s family with messages of love and shared health updates and ways people could help.

Though she lived only nine days, Brighid inspired a nonprofit organization called CaringBridge, which helps health-challenged people in many ways, including sharing an estimated 1,200 messages of hope and love each hour.

In 2022, the Register at National Day Calendar established June 7 as World Caring Day in honor of Brighid’s legacy, encouraging people to walk the caring path and share stories of their journeys.

Why Caring Is Critical for Health

That warm feeling you get when you throw a wayward ball back to neighborhood kids or hold the door for an overloaded shopper is backed by science.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), resilience and happiness increase with acts of caring. In fact, these positive interpersonal connections are associated with better health and a longer life.

In healthcare settings, the NIH found that viewing acts of kindness through videos, stories, images and other media resulted in greater feelings of happiness, calm, gratitude and inspiration.

What You Can Do

Here are ideas from the National Day Calendar to celebrate World Caring Day:

• Ask how someone is doing with intent and meaning, showing you truly care about what is going on in their life.
• Be mindful of the needs of others. Being alert and sensitive to what triggers your loved ones can help them navigate the shifts in their mood.
• Reconnect online with friends and family you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
• Make time for your loved ones.
• Write a note of encouragement.
• Share your story of caring for a loved one through a health journey on caringbridge.org.

If you are a current or former patient of Aultman Health System who received extra support from caregivers, friends or family, we encourage you to share your story.

As we know, even reading or hearing about acts of caring uplifts people. Why not start here and now in our own families and neighborhoods?

Thanks for spreading the happiness in any way you choose – and improving health and resilience on World Caring Day and every day.

Sources:
CaringBridge
National Institutes of Health
World Caring Day