Farewell, January (almost)

We're almost the end of January. Let us all pat ourselves on the back for getting through it! 

I vote that January should be designated the Month of Self-Compassion, rather than one where we're meant to somehow suddenly and miraculously, transform ourselves. Self-compassion - we cut ourselves some slack, quit self-blaming, stop being our own worst critic and simply accept ourselves, faults and all. 


There has been a lot of research that shows the enormous benefits of compassion. Here are just some of the findings:

  • Reduction in anxiety, depression and stress; increased pain threshold
  • Higher levels of emotional intelligence
  • Nurtures non-negative thinking
  • Greater social connectedness and depth of relationships with others - recognition of a shared humanity
  • An increase in oxytocin and endorphins levels, which reduce the alarm systems in our brain
  • Decreased heart-rate and blood pressure



Amazing! So let's work to quiet our inner-critic. Imagine introducing your Compassionate Self to your Critical Self -- what would you tell them? 

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