Mind your mind

What I like about Dr. Neff’s work is that she acknowledges that in our society, we often want to feel “special and above average” in order to feel worthy, but self-compassion is available to everyone.

If you feel stuck right now and wonder if self-esteem is a problem for you, I invite you to do a self-esteem check up. Be honest with yourself.

What’s great about a mason jar is that you can leave it on your desk, beside your computer or on an office shelf.

In the past couple weeks, I’ve been “therapist shopping.” That being said, I know exactly what I’m looking for. If this is your first time accessing counselling, here’s a few tips on how to get started and important factors to keep in mind.

A wellness plan is, first and foremost, a way to cope ahead with the future if challenges were to arise. It provides insight and acts as a guide when you find yourself struggling.

For me, having fun is somewhat a hard thing to do. But it’s a coping skill that will help you regulate your emotions. It will increase feel-good hormones in your body, allow you to create meaningful memories, and remind yourself that there is hope out there.

"The main point to remember, though, is that without emotions, none of us would be alive today. Sometimes when I am experiencing an uncomfortable emotion (anger, fear, shame) I try to remember that."

Being self-aware and knowing how to manage our emotions is key because it can help us learn how to listen to our body, reducing our stress in the process.

Living according to your values should be “vitalizing, uplifting and empowering.” Values are something you do, not something you have.

On some level, any kind of long-distance relationship can be both a challenge and a blessing. In a weird way, I’ve become closer to certain of my friends because now we have to be more mindful, invest time and effort into maintaining our relationship.

Although for a lot of us it happens to be an automatic habit, the truth is that people who hate themselves rarely succeed in a way that people with self-compassion do.

But I like to have good grades, and I always weigh the pros and cons carefully inside my head. Do I not show up to office hours and risk having a mediocre grade? Or do I suck it up, show up and potentially increase my chances of scoring an A?

Check-ups aren’t only for people who are sick, because regular visits are often about preventing diseases or medical conditions, and keeping track of your health over months or years.

There are a few mental health trainings and programs that are targeted towards the general population — you don’t have to be a professional to attend.

As you scan your body in your mind from head to toe, you pause and say thank you for the different parts of your body.