Mental Health & Wellness

Self Compassion is Critical for your Mental Health

By Dr. Jessica Turner

The ability to treat yourself kindly, despite feeling stressed or like a failure, THAT is self compassion. You know that phrase, "we are our own worst critic"? I see this play out for people time and time again.

Understanding Self Compassion

What Is Self Compassion?

The Research

Benefits of Self Compassion

Research indicates there are many benefits to showing yourself some compassion. A study amongst older adults revealed that those who were more compassionate to themselves, had better mental health, improved sleep and improved life satisfaction. This interesting study showed that people who struggle with their weight, may actually improve their mental health AND weight goals with a little compassion.

Putting It Into Practice

How You Can Do It

In an interview with psychologist, Dr. Taylor Crouch, "A more formal practice of self-compassion might be taking some time out of the day to practice types of meditation focused on cultivating loving-kindness, also called metta meditation, as well as other exercises to build daily mindfulness practices. We can practice paying attention to the inner critic in our thoughts and replacing that harsh inner voice with kinder, more compassionate words".

If mediation sounds scary, there are many apps for your smart phone that can assist you, such as Headspace.

Ways to Practice

Simple Steps Forward

Metta Meditation — A loving-kindness practice that trains the mind to direct warmth and goodwill toward yourself and others.

Daily Mindfulness — Small, consistent moments of awareness throughout the day to notice and gently redirect self-critical thoughts.

Guided Apps — Tools like Headspace make it easy to get started, even if formal meditation feels intimidating.

The Friend Exercise — Pretend you are giving a close friend advice about your situation. Notice how much more naturally kindness flows when it's directed outward.

In Conclusion

A Kinder Inner Voice

I often advise my clients who are feeling self critical, to pretend like they are giving a close friend advice about their particular situation. Often times people find it so much easier to be nicer to someone else, rather than themselves.

If you feel like you are struggling in this area, consider speaking with a trusted psychiatrist.

Remember

You Deserve Compassion Too

Kindness Starts Within

The way you speak to yourself matters. Practicing self-compassion is not self-indulgence — it is one of the most powerful tools for lasting mental health.

Small Practices Add Up

You don't need a perfect meditation routine. Simply noticing self-critical thoughts and gently softening them can make a meaningful difference over time.

Support Is Available

If self-criticism feels persistent or overwhelming, a trusted psychiatrist can help you build the tools to shift that inner dialogue.