‍Self-compassion is when you understand that you deserve less pressure and more nurturing when you are either having a difficult time, feel like a failure or notice something you don't like about yourself. Ignoring your own pain is never the right solution. So, by stopping for a moment to acknowledge these emotions, you can begin to find comfort and care, which will go a long way toward bringing you closer to self-appreciation, good mental health and to those that you love.

How do you benefit from practising self-compassion?

By practising self-compassion, it is proven that you will experience lower levels of anxiety and depression. In addition, it's instrumental for bettering your health, relationships, and general well-being. When you're suffering with your mental health, one of the most beneficial things you can do is perform acts of self-compassion to counteract this negativity.Self-compassion should not be confused with self-pity, complacency or arrogance. Instead, it's a valuable tool which increases your motivation, boosts happiness and improves your self-confidence - a key contributor to your mental state. Self-compassion is easy to learn too, and there’s no harm in taking some time out of your day to practise it!It also enhances your self-worth and fosters resilience. If you understand your self-worth and also remember that difficult times won’t last forever, you will live a much more fulfilling life.Self-kindness and compassion bring us closer to ourselves and others, two necessities for a happy life. Everyone makes mistakes and goes through hard times. And if you acknowledge your wrongdoing and look towards self-development, you’ll soon realise why you made those decisions in the first place, allowing you to grow and prosper. Our mental and emotional well-being is critical to our overall health; we can therefore use self-compassion to reduce the harmful effects that stress can have on us.

Self-compassion also has a positive effect on your physical health.

Studies have shown that self-compassion reduces stress when people respond to failures, struggles, and difficult circumstances. So, not only does it positively affect our mental health, but it also benefits our physical health. Self-compassion also promotes positive health behaviours. If you practise this technique, you are more likely to have the desire and motivation to take care of yourself, understanding that you deserve nourishment and care.

Quick tips for building self-compassion.

Do you want to know how to practise compassion techniques? Then here are my top tips:

Mindfulness helps you to become more present and aware.

Mindfulness is the act of focusing on the now - how you feel, what you are grateful for and what your strengths are. If we disconnect from our bodies and the world around us, we can lose touch with our emotions and behaviours. So, by focusing on the present, as opposed to the past or future, you will gain a sense of gratitude and understanding of one’s mind.Your senses play a part in this too, focusing on the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. These senses could be: taking in a beautiful sunset, hearing the wind whistle through the trees, smelling the aroma of flowers in a field, and tasting delicious food and drink. You can practise mindfulness and self-compassion by recognising what is happening around you and appreciating it.

Physical touch signals safety and trust.

Whether it's you or another person, physical touch is vital to the technique of self-compassion as it instantly translates to calmness and safety. It is also known to reduce heart rate and blood pressure. The warmth and gentleness of skin-to-skin contact can help you to feel more calm and relaxed.Pairing it with a silent remark, such as "everything is okay," can help you to feel instantly at ease and content. Physical touch is simple but can be powerful nonetheless. You are showing compassion for yourself in that you deserve to be touched and be held. You can also enact physical contact by holding onto a beloved furry pet or taking a nice, hot bubble bath.

Emotional agility allows us to make decisions based on values.

One last tip is to make use of emotional agility. Emotional agility is the ability to be with yourself in a way that is courageous, curious and compassionate. Acknowledging your emotions will allow you to understand them better. For example, keeping a journal allows you to fully tap into your thoughts and feelings, which further allows you to identify things that trigger negative feelings. This can help you to find solutions and coping techniques for the future.We all need some self-compassion to live a happy and full life. By acknowledging and dealing with your negative thoughts and feelings, you can improve your mental health and rebuild your self-worth. As a person-centred counsellor based in Warrington, Cheshire, I have a wealth of experience in helping all my clients find the right solutions for them - whether that includes self-compassion or self-worth. If you would like to learn more about how I work - or if you want to book a session - please visit my website and let's get you on the road to recovery.