With distancing measures in place, we cannot provide comforting hugs or physically participate in community work. However, there are still many ways in which we can practice compassion in our daily lives. Here are 4 ways of practicing compassion that we often overlook.

1. Check in on friends and family whom you have not met for a long time

Old relationships are like old books - we may leave them to gather dust for a while, unattended, but every so often, they will pop into our minds. This challenging period is a good time to brush the dust off these relationships. Reach out to friends and family whom you have not met for a while and find out how they are doing. A small gesture can go a long way to providing support.

2. Approach service staff with care and understanding - even over the phone!

When our delivery is unexpectedly delayed, we simply contact a customer service officer and take for granted that they will deal with it. However, it is hardly that simple on the service staff’s side as they deal with a flood of like requests each day. For example, service staff in the airline industry are on the receiving end of countless cancellations, rebookings and fee enquiries. Even if they cannot fulfill our requests, practice compassion for these service staff by approaching them with care and understanding. Be patient and refrain from insisting on our perceived consumer rights when possible. There is always room for empathy.

3. Help businesses by supporting them remotely

It is easy to imagine that life will be back to normal and we will be eating at our favourite restaurants once again after COVID-19, but what if those restaurants are no longer around? In the UK, 1 in 4 small businesses have folded. Aside from the tourism and hospitality industries, the food and beverage, arts and retail industries have been hit hard. In our day-to-day lives, small acts like ordering food from a local cafe or donating to relief funds set up for badly affected artists can go a long way to keeping businesses and industries afloat. 

4. Be mindful about treating your family or housemates with compassion

During a crisis, feelings of stress and anxiety are heightened and we may externalise those feelings by treating people around us harshly. In a lockdown, it is often people we live with who bear the brunt of our negative emotions. It is important to be aware of and address our emotions without externalising them in such a manner. Remember that our family or housemates are also going through the same stress. Support each other instead by, for example, talking through anxieties or playing games to take your mind off stresses.

We may be stuck at home, but there is always capacity for compassion. Do not overlook small gestures - sometimes it is the little things that count most.