Tips on self-care: Having compassion on yourself

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I confess that when I started hearing the concept of self-care, I mentally put it in the categories of “selfishness” and “self-indulgence.” It wasn’t really an active, conscious thought, more of an immediate dismissal. But as I’ve taken the time lately to really ponder the the idea, I’ve grown to realize that self-care is something that improves my life and makes me a nicer person to be around, thus being not really selfish at all.

Here are some tips I’ve found for self care. They don’t involve baths or tea or skin care (although I love all those things).

Don’t criticize yourself

In the February 2017 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine, I came across the article Show Yourself Some Love: The Surprising Power of Self-Compassion. Most of us know that criticizing ourselves has a negative impact on who we are and how we live, but having compassion on ourselves can actually improve our lives.

I think we realize how much we can be positively affected by kind words or encouragement from another person, but applying kindness to ourselves can trigger those same feelings of motivation, peace, and joy. Furthermore, we are less likely to fall into bitterness or depression because of the powerful positive effect on our mental health.

Don’t think you’re better, treat yourself better

I thought it was also interesting that self-esteem didn’t have the same life-improving effect. Thinking better about ourselves is not as beneficial as treating ourselves better.

Kristin Neff, who has researched the concept of self-compassion extensively, says, “Compassion engages our capacity for love, wisdom, courage, and generosity.” When we treat ourselves kindly, that increases our ability to demonstrate that same kindness to others.

What IS self-compassion?

Think about how you feel when you experience compassion for another person. You feel empathy, a connection with the pain they’re feeling, and motivation to reach out and alleviate their suffering in the best way you can. You offer kindness and understanding rather than harsh words or a “too bad for you” attitude. It’s something deeper than pity.

In the same way, having compassion on yourself involves offering comfort and understanding to YOU.

You are not defined by your failures

Don’t use self-criticism and internalize failure as if that defines you are. Tell yourself the things you would tell a friend or a child when difficulties arise. “You can do this.” Or ask the question, “What are ways that I can care for myself right now?”

Neff offers three things that self-compassion is NOT:

self-pity
self-indulgence
self-esteem.

Self-compassion makes you a better person

Interestingly, studies have shown that having compassion on ourselves also makes us more resilient, less ready to give up, less stressed and even physically healthier. It doesn’t work by magic, though. You have to make a choice to treat yourself compassionately before it can become a habit.

An example from my own life

One way I’ve learned to have compassion on myself is in the area of food. I try to eat only real, minimally-processed foods, but sometimes I will eat something that just isn’t. When that happens, I don’t tell myself, “Well, you blew it. Just eat whatever you want, you clearly can’t do this.” Instead, I basically pep-talk myself with “Don’t worry about it. It’s just one meal, you’ve been doing great so far.” I find that I’m reaching my goals much more quickly this way, when I forgive myself for messing up and just move on.