712: How self-compassion can help you calm your anxiety

This week on the Anxiety Slayer podcast, we’re exploring the power of self-compassion when navigating through stress and anxiety.

 

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Notes from this week’s episode:

How lack of self-compassion strains our nerves and increases anxiety

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”— Jack Kornfield


AYURVEDA’S EMPHASIS ON EMOTIONAL PEACE

Emotional and mental well-being always come first. Followed by diet and lifestyle, and then herbs. What we do is more important for our wellbeing than what we take.

You can eat all the organic kale in the world, but if you don’t heal your mind you’re still going to feel unhealthy.
— Dr. Caroline Leaf

Ayurveda teaches that we have the opportunity to work for our own wellbeing and peace of mind.

We are not powerless. What we think, say, do, eat, watch and hear and where and how we do those things all impact our health and state of mind.

We have the power of choice in whether those things are helping us or harming us.

Daily question

Inspired by James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits”:

What are my favorite hours of the day? And how can I make sure I’m using them to nourish and support myself.

Shepherding the mind

Asking how is this helpful?

Ayurveda and the role of mindfulness in making good choices for your mental well-being

  • awareness of our intentions in all things

  • helps bring calm to the mind

  • protects us from behaving rashly

  • bringing stillness to the mind gives us a healthy base to consider our choices

  • practice being present

By practicing mindfulness, we create space to make conscious choices and break free from autopilot behaviors.

Making choices that support our peace of mind protect us from rushing into actions that are going to cause more stress or strain on our nerves.

THE GIFT OF POSITIVE SELF-TALK

Our internal dialogue plays a significant role in shaping our emotional experiences. By replacing negative self-talk with a supportive dialogue you can reshape your perception of anxiety. 

Rehearse reminding yourself of your strengths, capabilities, and past successes to build resilience in the face of anxious moments.

Practice responding rather than reacting.

The ripple effect of self-compassion 

When we treat ourselves kindly, we are more likely to treat others kindly too. 

 

Get our Guided Tapping Session to help support the mind when it keeps playing fearful thoughts…

You can use this session daily to help retrain the mind to think calmer thoughts, or as an SOS Tapping Session any time you feel overwhelmed with unwanted thoughts you are struggling to control.

Get over 200 Guided Relaxations, Tapping Sessions, and Ayurvedic Teachings for calming anxiety at Patreon.com/anxietyslayer