Going deeper
Giving ourselves a hard time doesn’t make us feel any better. Most people find it much harder to treat themselves with compassion. We tend not to be taught how to be self-compassionate and yet this is vital to our wellbeing and will help us make mental health a priority in the workplace.
Paying attention to those inner voices, and supporting colleagues to do the same will make a huge impact in our workplaces. Once we begin to recognise these voices you can find ways of dealing with them and addressing them.
Dr Kristen Neff’s (University of Texas) research on self-compassion involves three core elements: mindfulness, self-kindness, and common humanity. Dr Neff believes that by practicing mindfulness, being kind to ourselves, and general humanity we have a higher chance of achieving happiness and self-compassion in our lives.
By nurturing both self-care and self-compassion this National Self-Care week and beyond, we can significantly enhance our overall wellbeing. While self-care practices offer temporary relief, self-compassion provides a lasting foundation for resilience. By recognising our inner critic and replacing it with kindness and understanding, we can cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling life. Remember, self-compassion is not selfish; it's essential for our mental health.