Can You Train Yourself to be More Compassionate?

Have you ever met someone with so much compassion and wondered how you could be more like them? Some people are born with the capacity to be compassionate not only to humans, but to pets, wildlife, and even nature. While compassion is a trait that is both biological and learned from our environment in childhood, there are ways to train yourself to be more compassionate.

Compassion is a Practice

Training your brain to be more compassionate takes practice like any new habit you wish to create. It will be unfamiliar at first. The brain is a creature of habit and gravitates to what is familiar – whether that is a positive trait or a negative habit. 

Compassion begins with self-compassion. Set an intention to yourself a little kindness and you will be amazed at how much your everyday, ordinary, life improves. Taking on self-compassion lightens the load, makes each day a little brighter, and softens the ups and downs of life. 

Here are some ways to practice self-compassion:

• Talk back to that negative voice in your head; when you have a negative thought about yourself, challenge it. 
• Whenever you catch yourself having a negative thought, balance it with a positive one. For instance, if you’re being overly critical of yourself, remember how you’ve successfully navigated past challenges.
• Compliment yourself on a job well done and let go of guilt for feeling proud and accomplished.
• Give yourself a break every now and again; you don’t always have to aim for perfection. Doing your best is what counts.
• Treat yourself to something nice.
• Speak to yourself and treat yourself like you would your best friend.

Take the time to practice. Once your cup overflows, you now have so much more to give. Self-compassion is necessary so you can give back to others. 

Compassion to Others

• Take time to notice, and even journal, throughout the day each time someone is compassionate to you. Take notes and learn how you can apply those same principles to other people. 
• Join an accountability group to create the new habit of being compassionate to self and others
• Take time throughout your busy day and take a pause – ask yourself, where and how can you show compassion in this situation.
• Instead of reacting to someone else’s negative mood, take a moment to ask them if they are okay. Chances are their negative mindset is really a cry for help, for someone to listen or for someone to simply ask!

Compassion as a Habit

Being aware of where, how, and when you can apply compassion to both yourself and others is the perfect way to create compassion as a habit. 

• Practice self-compassion
• Ask where, how, and when you can offer compassion to others
• Notice compassion

Take on these practices and before you know it, compassion will become a natural part of your life. 

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Need more self-care tips including info on incorporating more laughter into your day, head on over to A Cup of Positivity on Facebook join the discussion.