Self-Compassion

Research consistently shows that self-compassion is linked to better mental health outcomes compared to self-criticism. A study published in the Journal of Personality found that self-compassionate individuals are more likely to experience higher levels of happiness, optimism, and life satisfaction, and lower levels of anxiety and depression (Neff & Vonk, 2009). Another study in Personality and Individual Differences highlighted that self-compassion is associated with increased motivation and the ability to recover from setbacks, debunking the myth that being hard on oneself is necessary for success (Breines & Chen, 2012).