Soothing our System with Compassion
Compassion: this is a quick bonus on self compassion.
There is a good amount of research highlighting the benefits of self compassion on therapeutic healing. There is also evidence that it works far more effectively at creating change than self-criticism, which has the same effect on our brain that external threats do. Self compassion requires us to notice that we’re having a hard moment, that hard moments and suffering is a part of life, and to bring in kind acknowledgment of those truths. We can practice that like any mindfulness skill and it can become one our most powerful coping tools.
I believe our emotions are worthy of being held and honored. They give us valuable information and are an expression of our lived experiences. Self compassion is how we honor them and honor our humanity. We turn towards our tender experiences and say, “I see you, I understand you now, and you’re ok to be here.”
A simple self compassion Practice or mantra: with a Hand on your heart, take a deep breath, say: “This is a hard moment, suffering is a part of life, May I be kind to myself in this moment, may I give myself the compassion I need.”
Takeaway: Feeling and understanding our emotions gives us access to self compassion. Self compassion is more effective toward change than self-criticism and can ‘soothe’ our systems.