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Self-Compassion Practices for Self-Care

September 19, 2018 Heidi Green, Psy.D.

Self-compassion practices are an important but often overlooked part of self-care. Discover ways to incorporate self-compassion practices at HealthyPlace.

Self-compassion practices are often overlooked in our discussion of self-care. Most of us acknowledge the importance of engaging in self-care to maintain our physical, mental, and emotional wellness. When we talk about self-care, we often refer to engaging in fun, or relaxing activities. While that is certainly an important aspect of self-care, there is another equally important element that we often ignore: self-compassion practices are also part of self-care.

Self-compassion practices are a critical but underrated element of a healthy self-care regimen. Self-Compassion refers to the way we interact with ourselves during difficult times or when we experience painful emotions. It is the opposite of self-criticism. The practice of self-compassion involves treating oneself with loving kindness during moments of struggle or suffering. This self-compassion practice follows a simple principle: when you are upset, talk to yourself the same way you would talk to a person you were comforting.

Self-Compassion Practices Enhance Emotional Wellbeing

Self-compassion practices are not well-used although most people use compassion intuitively when interacting with friends and family members. When others are hurting, we offer them kindness, support, empathy, and encouragement. Strangely, when it comes to addressing our own struggles, many are more apt to engage in self-criticism and negative self-talk. Think about the last time you were struggling with something. Did you offer yourself empathy? Did you acknowledge how difficult the situation was and tell yourself it was okay to feel and express all your emotions? Conversely, did you tell yourself to suck it up or just get over it? Ask yourself now, would I talk to another person the way I sometimes talk to myself? If the answer is no, it might be time to reevaluate your self-talk.

When we talk to ourselves in the same supportive way we talk to others, we encourage our own healing and wellness. Acknowledging our pain and offering ourselves kindness can have the same impact as conversing with a good friend. It can be helpful to ask yourself what you might say to a friend going through a similar situation and then actively talk to yourself in that same way. People naturally respond better to positive, encouraging feedback. We grow best when we are supported and loved. It's only natural then, that we can encourage our own healing and self-growth with a kind, loving internal voice.

Self-Compassion Practice: Affirmations to Promote Healing

The next time you are struggling with something, try using some of these self-compassionate statements:

  • This is hard. Everybody struggles sometimes. I'm no different than everyone else.
  • I'm really hurting over this. It's okay to give myself time to feel sad and work through it.
  • I'm really disappointed. It's only natural to feel this way. I can be gentle with myself right now.
  • This is a lot to handle. No one is perfect, and I'm no exception. I'm doing the best I can.

Speaking to yourself in this way can soothe your pain and lead to faster healing. Try adding some self-compassion practices to your self-care routine and see if you notice an improvement in your recovery time. You might consider engaging in self-compassionate affirmations during a self-care activity like during a hot bath, a long walk, or while meditating. Comment below to let me know how you incorporate self-compassion practices into your self-care routine for optimal mental health and happiness.

APA Reference
Green, H. (2018, September 19). Self-Compassion Practices for Self-Care, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, November 14 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/livingablissfullife/2018/9/self-compassion-practices-for-self-care



Author: Heidi Green, Psy.D.

Heidi Green is a clinical psychologist and self-love aficionado. She lives her blissful life in Arizona where she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and snuggling her rescue pups. Find Heidi on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and her blog.

Please note: Dr. Green shares her personal opinions and experiences and nothing written by her should be considered professional or personal services or advice.

Alfred Kamara
April, 8 2019 at 10:34 pm

Wow this is amazing -self compassion in self-care this is a new breaking ground in self care. Love this and will share with friends

Dr Musli Ferati
December, 18 2018 at 12:20 am

Self-compassion as prototype of self-care introduces interesting and hopeful way to overcome successfully critical daily psycho-social difficulties. This new approach to protect mental health against numerous traumatic experiences should be accept by everyone as routine and spontaneous practice of self-care. In addition, each mental health expert must to promote and transmit to its patient with mental disorders. Indeed, we have innate intention to defend oneself during tiring moments, but purposeful self-compassion practice offer great and efficient help to soften emotional and mental struggles. Therefore, your mindful and indigenous suggestion to ameliorate difficult and stressful life experiences by this kind of self-care is necessary to implement on personal set of self care, as soon as possible. The benefits of self-care practice are crucial on affirmation of self-confidence and self-estimation, as principal condition to mental and emotional wellness. Let's condole more oneself in order to improve our emotional state, as fundamental underground of global life wellbeing !

December, 19 2018 at 1:41 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed my blog on self-compassion, Dr. Ferati. I agree that self-compassion is a wonderful skill for improving self-confidence and increasing emotional wellness.

Hadas
September, 24 2018 at 5:00 pm

Easy, simple, and useful.

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