Daily Practice of Self-Compassion Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety, Stress and Depression

ADELAIDE, Australia - March 7, 2016 - PRLog -- Why is it so difficult for many of us to extend the same compassion to ourselves that we happily offer to others?   Perhaps, as I have heard many times in my practice, it is perceived as an act of selfishness as opposed to an act of self-care. A weakness, a fear of being self-indulgent, complacent, and for some feeling underserving of kindness.  The reasons are as many and varied as the individuals themselves. So, why the attention on self-compassion now?  Because, the field of neuroscience has focused on empathy and compassion and the results are indicating strongly that cultivating a daily practice of self-compassion powerfully reduces symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression, negative cognitions.  Furthermore, increasing optimism, healthier behaviours, positive motivation with less fear of failure, happiness and connectedness.

Those of us working on the front line with people or animals who are suffering are no strangers to compassion.  Daily, we listen, to countless stories of pain, witness terrible anguish and offer kind and compassionate ways to relieve that suffering.  Unless we remember to afford ourselves the same kindness and care we run a very high risk of developing compassion fatigue. This form of emotional burnout can harden even the most dedicated worker and drive them out of the industry completely.  Research suggests that caregivers who have been trained in self-compassion are less likely to develop compassion fatigue.  This is because they have the skills needed to avoid getting overly stressed and burned out when interacting with their clients.  Self-compassion is a way of filling up our internal reserves, building our resilience which puts us into the best possible mind set to help others in a sustainable way.

The seed of self-compassion is present in all of us, an untapped resource waiting to be developed.  To this end the Self-Compassion: The Doorway to Resilient Practice retreat (http://boutiqueseminars.com/) has been developed, to raise awareness and offer powerful practices to ameliorate any effects of compassion fatigue.

This workshop and retreat has been tailored for front-line workers including, doctors, nurses, psychologists, mental health workers, social workers, teachers, coaches, vets and others who wish to integrate self-compassion and mindfulness in their work practices and personal life. It is the perfect opportunity for peer consultation with over 12 hours of direct Continuing Professional Development (CPD).