The Key to Improved Mental Health
In today’s fast-paced success-driven world, self-compassion seems to be overshadowed. This practice of extending kindness, understanding, and acceptance to oneself has been lost to criticism and self-loathing. We have created a culture where talking down about ourselves is universally accepted. We still treat others with compassion and respect but we have no empathy for ourselves. This is a direct cause of always wanting to do more, be more, achieve more and the perception that to achieve success we must be flawless. This pressure has allowed for self-criticism to become normalized. It’s accepted that you are going to feel bad about yourself and make self-deprecating comments and no one will be concerned. However, these thoughts and comments can take a toll on our mental health, even if they are meant to be a “joke”.
As we focus on love and self-care this month, remembering the lost art of self-compassion is a strong skill to learn. It helps us battle the detrimental effects of society’s expectations on our mental well-being. In the relentless pursuit of excellence, being kind to yourself is the most radical act of self-care and the foundation for greater emotional resilience and inner peace.
Why it matters
Here are some ways having self-compassion contributes to our overall well-being and quality of life:
- Mental: Being kind and understanding with yourself on your mistakes and shortcomings leads you to lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Taking yourself seriously is important, but so is forgiving yourself for things that are not totally in your control ( or those that are).
- Resilience: Practicing self-compassion helps you develop stronger resilience when faced with hardships. Instead of getting stuck in self-criticism or dwelling on past mistakes, self-compassion helps to bounce back from setbacks and navigate challenges with greater ease.
- Relationships: Cultivating self-compassion positively impacts your relationships with others. When you’re more accepting and forgiving of yourself, you’re also more likely to extend that same kindness to those around you, leading to healthier connections.
- Self-esteem: Self-compassion, self-esteem, and self-worth are all linked. By treating yourself with kindness you bolster a sense of value and worthiness. This sense of importance creates respect for yourself despite your successes and failures. You are worthy of the things you want and more and by being self-compassionate there will be no doubt about it.
- Regulation: Self-compassion helps us regulate our emotions more effectively. Instead of suppressing or ignoring difficult feelings, being self-compassionate begs you to acknowledge and validate your emotions. This establishes emotional stability and resilience within yourself.
- Satisfaction: Individuals who practice self-compassion report higher levels of life satisfaction and overall well-being. By prioritizing self-care and self-acceptance, you create a foundation for a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Confirmation Bias
Negative self-talk is easy because it’s the trend in our culture. It significantly impacts your mental health by reinforcing harmful beliefs and perceptions about yourself. When you engage in negative self-talk, you are feeding your mind with critical and self-deprecating thoughts, eating away your self-esteem and sense of self-worth over time. This internal dialogue not only shapes your perception of yourself but also influences how you respond to external events.
Many are not aware of confirmation bias, a cognitive bias where you seek out information that confirms your existing beliefs. This ignores contradictory evidence and further exacerbates the effects of negative self-talk. For example, if you believe that you are unattractive and always call yourself ugly, despite getting compliments from friends on how beautiful you are, you are going to dismiss the positive. You’re more likely to think that these compliments are just people being polite or insincere. Then, when any negative comments arise, such as a pimple or a bad hair day, your mind will lead you to use these as confirmation of the belief that you are ugly. You seek out evidence to support what you believe and overlook any positive feedback or evidence to the contrary. This perpetuates your negative self-image and contributes to low self-esteem.
Moreover, social media has normalized negative self-talk by creating unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and happiness. Constant exposure to carefully curated images and posts can fuel comparison and self-criticism, leading to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. This reinforces negative self-image and creates a vicious cycle of self-doubt and negativity, only this time it’s on a global level.
The change starts within yourself and while it’s not easy, it is always possible. Check out our narrative therapy options here at Lightwork to learn more.
Your Self-Compassion Toolbox
Practicing self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, especially during times of difficulty or distress. Here are some ways to cultivate self-compassion:
- Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness by tuning into your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment. Mindfulness helps you become aware of self-critical thoughts and allows you to respond to them with compassion and understanding. You can learn more here.
- Self-kindness: Treat yourself with the same kindness and care that you would offer to a close friend. Replace self-criticism with words of encouragement and support. Practice speaking to yourself with warmth and understanding, especially during challenging moments.
- Commonality: Remember that imperfection and struggle are universal human experiences. Everyone makes mistakes and faces difficulties in life. Feeling connected to others in this way can help you feel less isolated in your struggles and more compassionate toward yourself.
- Self-soothing: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and comfort, such as taking a warm bath, listening to calming music, or spending time in nature. Find ways to nurture yourself physically such as movement therapy for when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
- Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to protect your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Learn to say no to activities or commitments that drain your energy or compromise your values. Prioritize self-care and prioritize your needs.
- Acceptance: Embrace your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your imperfections and flaws. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on self-acceptance and self-love. Recognize that you are worthy of love and belonging just as you are.
- Seek support: Reach out to supportive friends, family members, or a therapist for encouragement and validation. Sharing your struggles with others can help you feel less alone and more supported in your journey toward self-compassion.
- Cultivate gratitude: Take time to appreciate the positive aspects of your life, even during difficult times. Keep a gratitude journal or simply reflect on the things you’re thankful for each day. Cultivating gratitude can shift your focus away from negativity and foster feelings of contentment and well-being.
- Practice forgiveness: Forgive yourself for past mistakes or perceived shortcomings. Holding onto guilt or resentment only perpetuates self-criticism and undermines self-compassion. Instead, practice forgiveness and let go of self-blame.
The relationship you have with yourself will always come first in your life. So by incorporating these practices into your daily life, you are nurturing a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself for a lifetime. Self-compassion is a skill that takes practice to develop, so be patient and forgiving as you begin this lifestyle. And always remember to be kind to yourself.
For additional resources on self-compassion you can reference:
- The Centre for Clinical Interventions offers self-help resources, including information sheets, workbooks, and courses on mood management, social anxiety, worry and rumination, panic disorder, and eating disorders. Their resources are designed to help individuals be less critical and more compassionate towards themselves through practical skills and exercises.
- Dr. Kristin Neff’s website provides extensive information on self-compassion, including guided practices, exercises, tips for practice, and research publications. She has also co-created the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program with Dr. Chris Germer, offering an eight-week course to teach self-compassion skills in daily life. The site also includes resources for testing your self-compassion levels and finding workshops and events.
