Self-compassion can be a foreign concept for many people. It refers to a way of relating to yourself with kindness. Being compassionate toward yourself means understanding that your value and worth are unconditional. It is knowing the difference between making a bad choice and being a bad person.

Research has shown that people with more self-compassion report more positive emotional well-being. A lack of self-compassion is correlated with higher rates of anxiety and depression, as well as a higher likelihood of developing unhealthy relationship patterns.

Here are some steps you can take to begin practicing self-compassion:

• Practice mindfulness - We can easily get caught up in negative self-talk and criticism. By practicing mindfulness, we become aware of our inner thoughts and feelings and listen without judgement and without trying to change them. This helps us stop ruminating on those negative thoughts.

• Treat yourself as you would someone you love - talk to yourself the same way you would talk to a beloved family member, friend, or child. Comfort yourself through tough situations in your life.

• Remember that you are not alone - No one  is perfect and we all make mistakes and poor decisions. Try to remember that you are just a flawed human being like the rest of us.

• Work with a therapist- learning new thought patterns or behaviors can take a lot of effort and sometimes it can be difficult to do on your own. Seek out a licensed mental health professional to help you.

If you are interested in reading more in-depth information on self-compassion, I highly recommend the work of psychologist Kristin Neff, who has researched and written about self- compassion extensively and was the first person to define the concept of self-compassion. Her book "Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself " is an excellent read on the subject and provides many different types of exercises you can do to have more self-compassion.