Most people would probably agree that being more caring is a goal worth striving for. However, unless you consciously take time to do this, you might find it doesn’t always come naturally. Is it possible to purposely adopt a mindset of love and kindness? Yes! Compassion is a skill you can develop over time, even amid your daily stresses and challenges. Like an exercise, the more you do it, the more instinctive it will feel. Start cultivating more compassion in your life with these three tips.
1. Be Kind to Yourself
It’s impossible to love others if you don’t care for yourself first. To do so, you should silence your inner critic when it rears its ugly head with intrusive thoughts like “You’ll never be good enough” or “Nobody likes you; they’re only pretending.”Instead of being so hard on yourself, give yourself permission to be imperfect. You might not have everything figured out – but who on Earth does? You’re trying your best and taking things one day at a time, just like everyone else.
2. Hone Your Sense of Empathy
If your goal is to become a more compassionate person, you must show more empathy for others – not only people you know, but also total strangers. It’s all too easy to get caught up in day-to-day worries and neglect to think about what other people are going through. However, people around the world are suffering – not only from the COVID-19 pandemic, but also from the effects of climate change, violence and poverty.Every day, work to put yourself in others’ shoes. For instance, as you read news articles about the wildfires along the West Coast, try to imagine what people fleeing those fires have gone through. Many of them have lost their homes and businesses during this already difficult year. Some people are even mourning the loss of loved ones who died in the fires. If you’re lucky enough to be unaffected by these natural disasters, is there any action you can take to help ease victims’ suffering? Perhaps you can donate to a relief fund, or help share survivors’ stories.
3. Practice Random Acts of Kindness
Small acts of kindness don’t cost you a penny to perform, but they can enhance your mental health by leaps and bounds. When you intentionally spread joy, it increases your brain’s production of serotonin – a neurotransmitter that naturally boosts your mood and provides profound feelings of satisfaction and well-being. Consider these ideas to get you started.- Start a Little Free Library book-sharing program in your neighborhood.
- Write compliments or affirmations on strips of paper and leave your notes on strangers’ cars.
- Send a “just-because” gift to a family member or friend.
- Volunteer to help an elderly neighbor with their chores or errands.
- Let someone get in front of you in the checkout line at the grocery store.
- Pay for the order of the person behind you at the drive-thru.
- Clear the clutter in your home and donate anything you no longer use to a charitable organization.
Be Patient With Yourself
Nothing worthwhile in life comes without making an effort. If being more compassionate doesn’t naturally come to you, give yourself time. With practice, you’ll find it easier to show compassion for others – and yourself.If you’re seeking qualified addiction treatment outside the structure of traditional 12-step programs, reach out to us at Complete Harmony. We offer a full continuum of care with a holistic framework that has helped empower people struggling with substance use disorders and given them the tools to live fulfilling, healthy lives.
