Psychology Today Blog

The Power of Self-Compassion

The Physiology of Self-Compassion
When we soothe our own pain, we are tapping into the mammalian care-giving system.
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Why self-compassion is healthier than self-esteem
The great angst of modern life is this: no matter how hard we try, no matter how successful we are, no matter how good a parent, worker, or spouse we are - it's never enough. There is always someone richer, thinner, smarter, or more powerful, someone that makes us feel small in comparison. Failure of any kind, large or small, is unacceptable.
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Self-compassion for caregivers
Think of all the generous, kind people you know who constantly give compassion and care to others, yet continually beat themselves up.
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Is it self-indulgent to be self-compassionate?
When people ask me what I do and I tell them that I study self-compassion, they often get a hesitant expression on their face. I guess self-compassion is a good idea, they say, but can't you be too self-compassionate?
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Let go of self-criticism and discover self-compassion
It's natural for us to be kind and compassionate to the people we care about in our lives. But how many of us offer that kind of compassion to ourselves?
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Self-Compassion