Self Care Vs Self Compassion

Self-care and self-compassion are related concepts, but they have distinct meanings and focus on different aspects of well-being.

Self-care refers to the intentional actions and practices individuals take to promote their physical, mental, and emotional health. It involves activities that contribute to relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Examples of self-care activities include prioritising sleep hygiene, exercising, nutritious food, practicing mindfulness and/or meditation, taking breaks and carving out time to engage in activities that bring joy, nourishment or enable you to recharge.

Self-compassion, on the other hand, is more focused on how people relate to themselves during challenging times or when faced with failures or setbacks. It involves treating yourself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance rather than harsh criticism or self-judgment. Self-compassion involves recognising and acknowledging our own suffering and responding to it with the same kindness and support that we might offer as support to a friend or family member.

So in summary, self-care involves the kind of actions and behaviours that contribute to overall well-being, while self-compassion involves cultivating a kind and understanding attitude toward ourselves, especially during difficult moments. Combining both self-care and self-compassion can create a powerful holistic approach to personal health and happiness and a fulfilling life experience.

If this interests you, why not take the Work Life Balance Assessment and discover how well you're managing in the areas of Self Care, Boundaries, Personal Time and Work Demands. Find out if you're at risk of burnout and get tips to prevent it. You can find this free, short assessment here.