Self-Compassion: An Rx for Well Being

This article illuminates the importance of self-compassion as a prerequisite to a healthy and wholesome way of living.  Many people, especially women in caregiving situations, put themselves last in the continuum of care. The idea of caring for yourself, treating yourself with compassion and kindness, is foreign to many women.  To do so,may appear to be selfish or self-centered.  Dispelling the myth of self-sacrifice is important to help caregivers achieve a balanced life that honors who they are and allows them to contribute in a healthy and wholesome way.There are a variety of reasons that self-compassion is important. One of the primary reasons is that you must be able to treat yourself with compassion before you can be compassionate toward others. Healthy compassion occurs when you have learned to honor your own needs and are able to set boundaries and limits. When you can accept, love, and treat yourself kindly in spite of your shortcomings, then you can treat others that way.

Citation: Thornton, L. (2011), Self-Compassion: A Prescription for Well-Being, Imprint , 58 (2) 42-45.