Challenge Tips

Practice Self-Compassion for Better Mental Health

If you find that you judge yourself harshly for small mistakes, you’re not alone. Everyone has an inner critic, that voice that says you could have done something better. Listening to that critic can cause feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and depression.

Self-compassion is the ability to recognize your emotions and treat yourself with kindness. Though it may be difficult at first to silence your self-critic, it is just as important to love yourself as it is to love others. In fact, self-compassion can lead to stronger relationships, decreased anxiety, and greater happiness.

Your Action for Today

Acknowledging that making mistakes or failing at something is part of the human experience is the first step toward self-compassion. With that in mind, commit to practicing self-compassion today, starting with these exercises:

• 1 minute of gratitude: Reflect on a recent mistake you made. Express gratitude for the opportunity to learn from it and tell yourself, “It’s OK.”
• 5 minutes of positive reflection: Read a list of self-compassion affirmations to yourself. Think about how they make you feel.
• 5 minutes of physical activity: Practice compassionate movement. Scan your body and pay attention to any areas that feel tight, tense, or uncomfortable. Engage in gentle massaging, stretching, bending, or twisting movements (anything that feels good) to alleviate your discomfort. Read more about compassionate movement.

Carry this self-kindness with you throughout your day.

We hope you found this challenge inspiring and impactful. Use the social media links on the left side of your page to share it with a fellow nurse and invite them to join Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation®.

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