It’s always good to be kind to yourself, but it’s especially important when diagnosed with cancer. Being kind to yourself, or self-compassion means wanting to help yourself feel better when you are suffering.
Self-compassion can be hard to practice. The first step is to notice when you are being hard on yourself. When you’re already having a tough time, and then you criticize yourself, things get worse. Being hard on yourself can make you feel anxious, ashamed, guilty, frustrated, and depressed.
If you find it difficult to stop being hard on yourself, ask, ‘What would I say to a friend?’ Think about how you would comfort and support a friend and treat yourself the same way. Self-compassion is about being kind to yourself, setting realistic goals, recognizing what you can and can’t control, doing things you enjoy, and soothing yourself.
Dealing with cancer is painful, and that’s a normal part of being human. Self-compassion won’t take away the pain, but it can help you find moments of calm, happiness, and contentment. By taking care of yourself and doing things to make yourself feel better, you can cope better with the difficult times.
This content is provided for your general education and information only. It does not necessarily reflect Belong’s views and opinions. Belong does not endorse or support any specific product, service, or treatment
