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James Donaldson on Mental Health – 6 Ways Self-Compassion Helps Support Your Mental Health
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You probably most often think of the term compassion as something you feel towards others. But you can – and need to – show compassion to yourself, as well. Self-compassion is the way you show kindness to yourself when you feel inadequate, suffer or fail.
Self-compassion provides a number of benefits to your mental health, and to your physical health as well. If you are self-compassionate, you will recognize when you are suffering and be kind to yourself at those times. This will reduce your depression and anxiety.
You may be naturally self-compassionate, or you may need to learn to use it. The skill is easily learned, thankfully.
How does self-compassion support mental health?
Self-compassion will allow you to bridge the gaps between:
Isolation to common humanity
Self-judgment to self-kindness
Judgment of others to acceptance
Self-compassion also allows you to use kindness, empathy, caring, forgiveness and tenderness instead of judgment when it comes to yourself, and to others.
Here are 6 ways self-compassion helps in supporting your mental health.
You’ll have fewer depression and anxiety symptoms.
If you constantly criticize yourself, it can negatively affect your mental health. When you’re hard on yourself, the emotional center in your brain will activate its “threat state,” which forces you into the response of “fight or flight.” This state triggers symptoms of depression and anxiety.
When you are able to use compassion toward yourself when you struggle or make mistakes, it will keep you out of that threat state, which helps to decrease mental health symptoms.
You’ll experience a higher level of satisfaction in life.
When your mistakes do not seem so overwhelming and you spend less time feeling critical of yourself, you’ll have a more enjoyable life.
When you view your setbacks and mistakes as chances to learn and grow, rather than as negative aspects of your character, you will feel better overall about your life.
You’ll be more resilient and better able to cope during hard times.
The way you treat yourself during difficult times like relationship breakups and trauma is a solid predictor of the future of your mental health.
If you practice self-compassion, you will be kinder to yourself and rebound more quickly from setbacks you encounter. Self-compassion should be seen as a strength, rather than a weakness.
You’ll be more compassionate toward other people.
When you have compassion towards yourself, it helps you to channel your abilities to meet your needs. Giving yourself what you truly need gives you more positive energy to let you sensitively respond to others’ needs. Self-compassion also will help lessen any sense of burnout when you are giving of yourself to others.
You’ll be more motivated to take worthwhile risks.
Whenever you take a risk, you have the chance of failure and disappointment, and this can be a frightening thing. It’s especially scary if you judge yourself a lot.
Self-compassion helps you become less fearful of disappointment and failure, making it easier for you to take leaps of chance. Increased self-awareness and self-compassion make it easier for you to understand and accept the chances for letdowns and setbacks, making those chances cause less anxiety or stress.
You’ll have relationships that are more fulfilling.
Self-compassion can quite often lead to more satisfying relationships. The more kind and patient you are with yourself, the more kind and patient you will be able to be with other people.
If you have self-compassion, you’ll be more self-aware, which means you’re able to show more optimism and joy in relationships.
Conclusion
Life may sometimes feel overwhelming, which causes anxiety and stress that can lead to issues with mental health, if they are not managed properly. Self-care and self-compassion reduce the impacts of anxiety and stress on your mind.
Self-compassion is also vital to mitigate effects of challenges in the area of mental health. It helps you develop healthier emotional responses to anxiety and stress. This promotes resilience and has a positive impact on your mental health.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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