Learning compassion has been found to lead to happiness. There is scientific evidence that compassion decreases stress, lessens pain, helps the immune system, increases cooperation and saves healthcare costs.

Compassion training involves getting into state of quiet concentration and extending caring feelings to other human beings. Self compassion involves extending caring feelings for ourselves as we would care for others. With self-compassion, we treat ourselves the way we would treat a friend who is having a hard time.

Compassion is more than understanding pain and suffering, it is the aspiration to alleviate suffering. It is wanting to help. It is taking action. It is saying “I know that this is a tough time for you. I want you to know that I am here with you.” It is extending feelings of caring.

Mindful Self-Compassion involves self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness.

• Self-kindness - Instead of attacking ourselves for mistakes, we offer ourselves warmth and unconditional acceptance.

• Common Humanity - It is important to understand that we are all works in progress. Everyone fails, makes mistakes and experiences hardship. We are not alone in suffering or pain.

• Mindfulness - Being aware of the present experience and allowing yourself to be open to your thoughts, feelings and sensations.

Try this:

Take some deep, slow breaths. As you inhale, breathe in compassion for yourself. As you exhale, breathe out compassion for others.

Think:

Think about a time that a friend was struggling or had made a mistake. How did you respond to them. Now think about a time when you have been struggling or had made a mistake. How did you respond to yourself? Did you treat yourself differently? Could you be a better friend to yourself?

Think “How can I help?”