We are often our own toughest critic. Practicing self-compassion, which involves treating ourselves with kindness, accepting our imperfections, and reducing self-criticism can lessen the emotional and cognitive consequences of stressors.
Please see below a collection of resources for general Self-Compassion Practice, including a self-assessment scale, as well as more specific exercise and meditation resources to practice compassion with yourself. This information is also reproduced and sub-categorized in menus to the left.
Resources for Self-Compassion Stress Management Strategy Practice
- A self-assessment scale: https://self-compassion.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Self_Compassion_Scale_for_researchers.pdf
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Web-based Resources
- https://self-compassion.org
- Kristen Neff’s tips for practice: https://self-compassion.org/tips-for-practice/
- Tich Nhat Hanh on self-compassion: https://tricycle.org/magazine/cultivating-compassion/
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Videos with Information on Self-Compassion
- Self-Compassion vs Self-Esteem: https://mindfulnessexercises.com/self-compassion-vs-self-esteem/
- Kristen Neff Ted Talk on Self-Compassion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvtZBUSplr4
- Overcoming objections to self-compassion: https://mindfulnessexercises.com/kristin-neff-overcoming-objections-to-self-compassion-video/
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Self-Compassion Exercises:
- Self-compassion break: https://self-compassion.org/exercise-2-self-compassion-break/
- Exploring self-compassion through writing: https://self-compassion.org/exercise-3-exploring-self-compassion-writing/
- Supportive touch: https://self-compassion.org/exercise-4-supportive-touch/
- Changing your critical self-talk: https://self-compassion.org/exercise-5-changing-critical-self-talk/
- Start a self-compassion journal: https://self-compassion.org/exercise-6-self-compassion-journal/
- Identifying what we really need: https://self-compassion.org/exercise-7-identifying-really-want/
- For those who work or plan to work in a caregiving profession or who care for children or family members - Taking care of the caregiver: https://self-compassion.org/exercise-8-taking-care-caregiver/
- Self-compassion pause (worksheet): https://mindfulnessexercises.com/self-compassion-pause/
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Self-Compassion Meditations
- Self-compassion break [5 min]: https://self-compassion.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/self-compassion.break_.mp3
- Loving kindness meditation [15 min]: https://www.mindful.org/a-loving-kindness-meditation-to-boost-compassion/
- Compassionate friend [18 min]: https://centerformsorg/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CompassionateFriend_Neff.mp3
- Giving and Receiving Compassion [20 min]: https://center4msc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GivingandReceivingCompassion_Neff.mp3
- Compassion with equanimity [18 min]: https://chrisgermer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Compassion-with-Equan...
- Affectionate breathing [18 min]: https://chrisgermer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/AffectionateBreathing...
- Self-compassion / loving kindness meditation [20 min]: https://self-compassion.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/LKM.self-compassi...
- Self-Compassion meditation [60 min]: https://mindfulnessexercises.com/downloads/self-compassion/
- For those who work or plan to work in a caregiving profession or who care for children or family members - Self-Compassion for Caregivers [9 min]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ9wGfwE-YE&feature=youtu.be