By LAURA LEONARD
Doctor of Chiropractic
Los Alamos
The practice of mindful self-compassion, coined by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer, is an important tool that we can teach our children and add to our mental health toolbox.
Research on mindful self-compassion indicates that it is an important way to reduce anxiety and depression while at the same time improve our sense of self-worth. This practice is especially important if you are prone to perfectionism or were raised in a critical household.
I also personally feel that every child would benefit immensely from learning how to practice mindful self-compassion in order to insulate them from the esteem killing effects of social media.
There are three pillars of mindful self-compassion that you can start using today:
- Tuning into negative self-talk and shifting to words of self-kindness when you are in self-judgement;
- Seeing yourself as a part of the common human experience vs thinking you are the only one with struggle; and
- Practicing awareness around how you feel when you confront painful thoughts or emotions and defining these as an important part of our personal growth vs something that you caused or deserve.
Dr. Laura Leonard has a BSc in Neuroscience and is a Doctor of Chiropractic. She has been in practice for 20 years and recently joined Dr. Lenz and Dr. Savoia at the Los Alamos Chiropractic Center. Dr. Leonard’s practice focuses on posture and performance using a combination of soft tissue release, adjustments and exercise recommendations. She also coaches patients on nutrition, self-care and body awareness so they can manage themselves in between visits. Los Alamos Chiropractic Center is in the Mary Deal building on Trinity Drive.
