When we are going through a trying or difficult time, or just need to power through any type of challenge, self-compassion can help us meet this moment in life. When coping with a recent loss of someone close, surviving a long-term illness, experiencing a setback in our career, or struggling to meet a high expectation of ourselves, self-compassion is key. It is not an easy feat to be kind and caring toward oneself during hard times; however, one that can yield great benefits both emotionally and physically.
Why Is Self-Care And Compassion Important?
You are unique. No one has the exact same mannerisms, personality, reactions, or perceptions that you do. That’s why it’s important to treat yourself like the unique person that you are. While you may be able to succeed without self-compassion for a while, you won’t thrive. At some point, the suffering, pain, harm, or neglect you put yourself through will catch up with you. That is why it’s paramount to be able not only to care for yourself but also to treat yourself in compassionate ways.
How Do You Show Self-Care And Compassion?
It’s hard to show self-care and compassion when you’re beating yourself up. Self-compassion is an important aspect of self-love, but it’s one that we don’t often give ourselves credit for. We often hold others accountable for showing compassion or practicing self-care but fail to acknowledge that we can treat ourselves in the same way.
There are a number of ways for increasing self-compassion, such as writing letters to yourself, gratitude journaling, and giving yourself a hug when you need it the most. It’s important to know how to practice self-care and compassion so that you can improve your own mental health and take better care of your spirit.
What Are Some Examples Of Self-Compassion?
Self-compassion has many benefits, such as encouraging self-forgiveness and relieving stress. If you’re feeling a little hard on yourself, try using these affirmations:
- It is okay to forgive myself for my mistakes;
- It is healthy to let go of the judgment of other people;
- I accept all aspects of who I am;
- Making mistakes means I am learning and growing;
- Change will be easier if I stop being hard on myself;
When you think about it, treating yourself well and being kind to yourself fosters doing the same for others (which is often a core tenant of our professional practice). Nurturing yourself and taking good care of yourself also helps put you more in touch with your needs, goals, and desires. Further, research suggests that self-compassion is linked to reduced stress levels, increased happiness, and better mental health.
Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about being present in the current moment without reacting to what’s going on inside your mind or outside it. It’s about being aware of your thoughts and emotions without getting overly caught up in them, without letting them run your life. It is now recognized by many researchers as a form of self-compassion: it provides the mindfulness needed to identify our own thoughts and emotions, to acknowledge their presence, and to label them as just that—thoughts and emotions.
Mindfulness is one of the foundations of emotional intelligence. It plays a key role in almost every aspect of self-compassion, and is often the most challenging behavioral change for people to make.
