16: Self-Compassion: How to Shift Your Inner Monologue with Dr. Gemma Gladstone
- Gemma Gladstone
- December 3, 2020
In the last few years, mainstream psychology has had a lot of focus on self-compassion. About a thousand research papers have been published on the areas of self-compassion, mental health, and the benefits of shifting our internal world and monologue to a more self-compassionate stance, to help us overcome mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
“For self-compassion to exist, there must be an element of suffering that exists somewhere.”
Dr. Gemma Gladstone
We all need as much compassion as we can get towards ourselves and others. We particularly need it now, when so many of us will not be able to share the holiday season with the ones we love. As humans, we often struggle to show ourselves any care or positive, warm regard because we have been programmed to multitask, survive, take care of others, and be aware of what could go wrong. In our quiet moments, we tend to go to the negative about things that have happened to us in the past and what the future might have in store for us. That makes it hard for us to stay in the zone of a mindful brain.
In today’s episode, Gemma talks about self-compassion. She explains what it is, the barriers you might have against it, and she gives some tips for bringing self-compassion into your life. Be sure to stay tuned to find out why self-compassion is so important.
Show highlights:
- The different kinds of research that have been done recently on self-compassion.
- How Loving Kindness Meditation can help you develop self-compassion.
- Gemma defines compassion, and she discusses what it is.
- What self-compassion means.
- About the works of the psychologist researchers Kristin Neff, Chris Germer, Paul Gilbert, and Tania Singer.
- The gift that self-compassion provides for us.
- Gemma gives some examples of when and how you can apply self-compassion.
- What happens when you deny an emotion that you’re feeling.
- The importance of self-validation.
- Why self-compassion is a stronger motivator than self-criticism, especially in the long term.
- Why people with a strong inner critic tend to be risk-averse.
- It takes courage to have self-compassion.
- Some of the schemas that can get in the way of self-compassion and self-care.
Links and resources:
The Good Mood Clinic website
Email Gemma and Justine at gemmaandjustine@goodmood.com.au
Go to the Good Mood Clinic website podcast page to download your free guide, which talks about the characteristics of an emotionally available partner.
Recommended Reading:
The Mindful Path to Self Compassion