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Self-Compassion theme (Self-Kindness)
In our co-production workshops for the ‘Self-Compassion’ theme, young people advised us on the best ways to engage children in starting to think about and practice self-compassion to help enhance overall wellbeing. Three tools stood out as the best and most engaging ways to start thinking about and practising self-compassion: A stress ball that you can carry with you, a journal with guides for supporting your own self-compassion and a list of recommended fun fiction books that involve self-compassion themes.
What is self-compassion?
Self-compassion is when you direct kindness and understanding towards yourself. This can be helpful when you come across challenges and you feel difficult emotions. Self-compassion could be accepting that these emotions are normal in response to the challenge and then being kind and gentle with yourself. You should care for yourself the way you care for others when they are hurt or upset.
Why is self-compassion important?
Self-compassion can help you to balance out your negative feelings with kindness and care. This helps you to be more resilient when you face challenges because you know that you can support yourself. This balance happens inside your body, when you activate your Soothe System.
If you would like to find out more about the Soothe System and the science behind self-compassion please find the self-compassion information sheet here.
Resources
This is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you in moments where you feel a lot of emotions at once. This can help you to focus your body away from the difficult emotions and into the simple action of squeezing the stress ball. Find out more about the science behind stress balls and how to best use them here.
This is a space for you to express your thoughts and emotions and to help you to explore your day by writing or drawing things you find peaceful or relaxing; the choice is yours. Find out more about the science behind this wellbeing tool and how to best use it here.
We have partnered with Edinburgh International Book Festival to bring you the RR Book List, a list of fiction and non-fiction books for teenagers that explore resilience and wellbeing. Find this book list here.
Booth presentation a video demonstration of the self-compassion booth which was presented during the Resilience Rucksack fairs