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Being kind and compassionate has been shown to greatly improve one’s relationships with other people. But did you know that it’s just as valuable to practice giving kindness and compassion to yourself, too? In fact, those who are kinder and more compassionate to themselves are happier, more motivated, and experience greater life satisfaction. They’re also more confident in what they do and in themselves.
Even with various benefits, it’s quite challenging for individuals to be kind toward themselves. This is because people tend to be more critical about themselves than they are about others. Often, they hold themselves to higher standards. When they don’t meet these expectations, they become very disappointed in themselves. Sometimes, they may also have trouble accepting their weaknesses, considering them inherent character flaws that don’t let them deserve respect or kindness.
If you’ve ever felt something similar, rest assured that you’re not alone. Although it’s normal to feel ashamed or displeased with yourself, it’s not healthy to linger on such emotions. Instead, you must practice self-kindness and self-compassion whenever you can.
Whether you’re having a tough day or just want to learn to be more accepting of your imperfections, here are some simple ways to be kinder and more compassionate to yourself:
An effective way to practice self-compassion is by dedicating some time exclusively to yourself. Even if you’re juggling lots of different work and home responsibilities each day, try to give yourself a few minutes or hours to do something that brings you joy. It can be doodling, journaling, or listening to music, for example. It can even be something as simple as a nightly routine of taking a warm shower, doing your skincare, and changing into soft and comfortable sleepwear.
Remember, your daily me-time should be reserved for an enjoyable activity especially for yourself, not for work or anyone else.
Maybe you did something in the past that you regret. Perhaps you missed a great opportunity because you felt scared to take it on. Whatever the case may be, it’s understandable if you feel angry or disappointed in yourself over such events.
That said, hanging on to such negative emotions can affect your well-being in detrimental ways. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally, and that’s okay. Instead of wallowing in these feelings, show yourself some kindness and forgive yourself. Forgiving oneself is one of the most difficult things to do, but it’s an important step to take so you can start becoming kinder and more compassionate to yourself.
Once you’ve forgiven yourself and let go of previous mistakes, you can start focusing on the more important aspects of your life. You’ll begin to understand what you’ve learned from past situations and embrace your experiences in a more positive light. This will give you a sense of freedom and help you move forward with all that unnecessary weight off your shoulders.
Did you argue with a loved one or fail to complete a task? If you’ve just gone through a challenging day, show yourself some kindness by doing something that will soothe yourself. There are no hard and fast rules here, as you get to decide what activities will make you feel better.
You can, for example, light a scented candle and give yourself a head massage. If you want to pamper yourself, why not put on your most comfortable leisurewear and snuggle up in your favorite blanket while drinking a cup of delicious hot cocoa? Should you prefer sweating it out, you can also play some upbeat music and dance the stress away.
A great way to actively practice self-compassion is to go ahead and treat yourself without having to feel like you’ve “earned” it. It’s okay to indulge once in a while, and it doesn’t always have to be a reward in exchange for hard work. If you stay within your budget and keep your spending reasonable, there’s no harm in getting an extra scoop of ice cream or trying out a new restaurant for fun.
The treat or activity itself doesn’t have to be grand to make a positive impact on your mental health, either. It can be anything you don’t buy or do regularly. If you don’t frequently shop for clothes and need to replace your old socks, for instance, why not get yourself a pair that’s of better quality than your usual, such as No nonsense’s Super Soft socks?
One of the best ways to practice kindness and compassion toward yourself is to take care of your health by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and exercising regularly. Aside from improving your physical health, exercising can boost your mood and enhance your memory. Each time you exercise, your body also produces endorphins that naturally make you feel good. All in all, staying physically healthy can do wonders for your mental and emotional health.
When you’re working out, remember to wear the right gear to prevent injuries. You can also use garments that improve your performance and aid in muscle recovery, such as a pair of compression socks. Compression socks have been shown to improve the blood circulation in the legs during exercise and during periods of inactivity, such as sitting or standing for extended periods. Post-workout, these socks can reduce your chances of experiencing leg cramps. And because the enhanced blood circulation means more oxygen is delivered to your legs, wearing these socks can also speed up muscle recovery.
It’s easier to be kinder and more forgiving to others than to ourselves. Unfortunately, being unnecessarily harsh to yourself isn’t a healthy habit. If you’re having a hard time practicing self-kindness and self-compassion, imagine yourself as someone you care about. What would you do to show this person some kindness? From there, you can figure out the best ways to be more compassionate toward yourself. It may not seem obvious at first, but these small gestures can add up and contribute to a much better sense of self-esteem and self-acceptance in the long run.
