Giving Myself a Break: What is Self-Compassion?
What is Self-Compassion?
Self-compassion is a term that you may have heard before, but you may not be sure what it means. Simply put, self-compassion is being kind to yourself in times of stress or difficulty. It involves being understanding and supportive towards yourself, rather than harshly judging or criticizing yourself.
So why is self-compassion so important? When we are kind and understanding towards ourselves, we are more likely to be able to cope with difficult situations in a healthy way. We are also less likely to get caught up in negative thought patterns, such as the inner critic. The inner critic is that voice in our head that tells us we are not good enough, or that we should have done things differently. This inner critic can be very harmful to our mental health, but self-compassion can help to silence it.
So why is it that so many of us are not very self-compassionate? One reason may be our inner critic, that voice in our head that is always pointing out our flaws and telling us we’re not good enough. compassion-focused therapy can help us to understand and manage our inner critic, so that we can start being kinder to ourselves.
The three main components of self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-kindness involves being understanding and supportive towards yourself, rather than harshly judging or criticizing yourself. Common humanity involves recognizing that everyone experiences difficult emotions and situations, and that you are not alone in your struggles. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and accepting your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
When we are compassion towards ourselves, we are more likely to have a positive outlook and be able to cope with difficult situations. This is because self-compassion allows us to see our mistakes and shortcomings in a more realistic and forgiving light.
Self-compassion has been shown to be associated with a number of positive outcomes. Individuals who are more self-compassionate tend to have lower levels of anxiety and depression, and higher levels of life satisfaction and well-being. They also report being more resilient in the face of difficulties, and more likely to engage in healthy coping strategies in the face of difficulty.
At Suaimhneas Cork CBT Therapy and Mindfulness Training we can help you to reduce overthinking, to better deal with stress, anxiety and depression, to regain your health, energy and vibrancy, so you can focus on the things that matter to you in your life.
If you wish to learn more about how CBT Therapy can help feel free to click on the links below:
Autism Counselling and Psychotherapy for Adults
Feel free to contact us at Suaimhneas CBT Therapy Cork and Mindfulness if you have any questions or if you would like to to book an appointment.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch on our contact form below, or phone us at 086 840 3722.
