{"id":10707,"date":"2020-08-22T08:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T13:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=10707"},"modified":"2020-08-25T10:59:24","modified_gmt":"2020-08-25T15:59:24","slug":"how-to-practice-self-compassion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/how-to-practice-self-compassion\/","title":{"rendered":"How to practice self-compassion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does it ever feel like everyone else seems so much more put together than you? Do you wonder sometimes if there\u2019s an \u201cadulting\u201d guidebook that everyone else got a copy of?<\/p>\n

\n

Feeling overwhelmed?<\/p>\n

Get online support<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Life can be seriously overwhelming \u2013 and it can be more difficult when we become our own worst critics.<\/p>\n

Taking time for some self-compassion can help, says Vicki Kamhi, LCPC, a counselor with Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing<\/p>\n

What is a self-compassion break?<\/h2>\n

A self-compassion break is a few minutes to yourself that can help you gain perspective and figure out your next step.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can use a self-compassion break whenever you\u2019re struggling with a difficult situation or are feeling an overwhelming emotion,\u201d said Vicki.<\/p>\n

To start, find a comfortable, quiet place where you won\u2019t be disturbed for a few minutes.<\/p>\n

Then say the following three phrases silently to yourself. Make sure to take time in between these phrases to reflect on your experience.<\/p>\n

\u2018This is a moment of suffering\u2019<\/h2>\n

This first statement helps you acknowledge what you\u2019re going through.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all tend to push away unpleasant emotions,\u201d said Vicki. \u201cThis helps you be aware of your emotions and focus on what you\u2019re feeling.<\/p>\n

You can use other language if you want, such as:<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m having a really hard time right now”<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so frustrated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Suffering is a part of life\u2019<\/h2>\n
\"Infographic:<\/a>

Download<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

This second statement reminds you that everyone has difficulties in life \u2013 something that is particularly true during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)<\/a> pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we say this phrase, we remember that we aren\u2019t alone<\/a>,\u201d said Vicki. \u201cOur difficulties are part of our shared human experience<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other statements could be:<\/p>\n

“Everyone feels this way sometimes”<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all struggling<\/a> during the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not alone in this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018May I be kind to myself in this moment.\u2019<\/h2>\n

Take time to really think through this final statement. If you want, you can put your hands on your heart when you say it.<\/p>\n

You could also try saying:<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I give myself the same compassion and love that I would give a dear friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I accept myself as I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Take action<\/h2>\n

After you say this last phrase, ask yourself, \u201cWhat do I need right now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Depending on what\u2019s going on in your life, you may need to eat a healthy meal<\/a>, spend some time outside, talk with a loved one, watch a funny movie, take a nap or do something else to take care of yourself.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost importantly, be kind to yourself,\u201d said Vicki. \u201cBecause you deserve it!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A self-compassion break is a few minutes to yourself that can help you gain perspective and figure out your next step.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":10719,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[734],"tags":[806,981,991,816],"coauthors":[681],"class_list":["post-10707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mental-health","tag-infographic","tag-resilience","tag-self-compassion","tag-silvercloud"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to practice self-compassion<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Take a self-compassion break - a few minutes to yourself that can help you gain perspective and figure out your next step.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/how-to-practice-self-compassion\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to practice self-compassion [Infographic]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Take a self-compassion break - 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