Do you have self-compassion? Are you living with a chronic illness such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? If you don't, it's time to activate this skill.
Self-compassion can be a powerful tool to address and undress your stress. With regular practice, you can decrease the amount of cortisol your body produces and increase your heart rate variability (HRV), which is a good indicator of overall health.
When you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), self-compassion is a crucial skill to build. Kristin Neff, the author of Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, explains that self-compassion is a process that involves several steps:
1. Recognize your own suffering.
2. Let go of unrealistic expectations.
3. Extend kindness and care to yourself.
4. Avoid destructive patterns that trigger negative feelings.
The key word is “process”: it takes time and practice to change your behavior, regardless of what type of change you want to make. When you have a chronic illness, the ability to be compassionate with yourself is a skill worth cultivating.
Click to read the rest of RA and the Importance of Self-Compassion.
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