Feeling caregiver fatigue? Discover self-compassion strategies to replenish your energy and peace.
Feeling caregiver fatigue? Discover self-compassion strategies to replenish your energy and peace.
Exploring the topic of Self-compassion and Caregiving Fatigue for Mindful Self-compassion teacher training, I thought I would share a few helpful reflections that you may relate to. When we care deeply, we sometimes forget to include ourselves in the circle of compassion.
Caregiving isn’t just something reserved for doctors, nurses, or therapists. Most of us are caregivers in one form or another; whether we’re supporting a child, an ageing parent, a partner, a friend, or someone in our community.
And while caregiving is often an expression of love, empathy, and purpose, it can also be quietly depleting. We may begin to feel irritable, shutdown withdrawn, or even resentful. These reactions can surprise us, especially if we see ourselves as naturally compassionate, it can be really hard!
What I’ve come to realise through this work is that what we often call “compassion fatigue” is more accurately “empathy fatigue.” Feeling with others is beautiful, but when we’re constantly absorbing the pain of others without the internal resources to hold it, we begin to shut down.
Empathy says: “I feel you.”
Compassion says: “I hold you.”
Compassion is empathy softened with love. And paired with equanimity—that spacious, grounded quality that allows us to care without collapsing—it becomes a sustaining force.
Compassion is not only kind—it’s wise. It’s a positive emotional resource that helps protect us from overwhelm and burnout.
I recall a particularly poignant moment during my early training with the Mindfulness Association in Self-compassion. I was caring for my mum in the late stages of a complex illness. In a difficult caregiving moment, wisdom dropped from my head to touch my own heart : “She is suffering… and I am suffering too.” In that tiny moment of clarity, something was subtly and powerfully different. I could hold both our pains with tenderness more strength more courage. Something shifted.
Research suggests that when we soothe our own nervous system, it benefits not just us. The people we care for feel it too. Through empathic resonance, our calm helps them calm. Our inner peace becomes a refuge for others.
How do we stay open when we feel overwhelmed?
The answer, gently but firmly, is self-compassion. Putting our “own oxygen mask on” first. That can take inner courage and strength. That moment of authentic human connection with my mum is bittersweet, grounding, and deeply touching, and it is with me now, and has stayed with me for years after Mum passed over, a special memory. It was one of her greatest gifts and teachings, showing me how to navigate life’s ups and downs, highs and lows, and emotions mindfully. All that stuff is what makes us human. Self-compassion is a valuable inner resource that makes this possible; it’s a form of alchemy.
Not in the form of big gestures, but in small, honest acknowledgments:
“This is really hard… and I’m doing the best I can.”
This is not self-indulgence. It’s sustainability.
As the Dalai Lama reminds us, “To develop genuine compassion for others, we must first care for our own well-being.”
A popular saying you may all remember reminds us about this care, bringing solace in these simple words, words that speak to equanimity and perspective:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”Reinhold Niebuhr
These are wise, humble words—not just for difficult days, but for all the quiet moments in between.
If you’re feeling stretched thin by caregiving, please know: you’re not alone. And your well-being matters too. Take a breath, take a moment to connect with yourself, your feelings, and your needs. You count.
If you’re interested in building your inner resources—like self-compassion, emotional resilience, and equanimity—through 1:1 coaching or group workshops, I’d love to support you. Please feel free to get in touch.
Men’s Health Week 2025: Finding Steadiness Together in a Demanding World
Men’s Health Week (9–14 June 2025) invites us to pause and gives us a purpose to respectfully ask an important question to the men and boys in our lives, fathers, brothers, partners, sons, work colleagues and friends:
How are you, really?
Sometimes it takes bravery and courage to ask that question, especially if the person is not comfortable talking or is not in a great place. At other times, being present and aware is all it takes to witness someone’s difficulty and notice them. As human beings, we are designed to co-regulate with others. In the right company, we feel safe, our nervous system can settle, and we can start to relax and open up.
The Men’s Health Forum, (Source MP’s UK Men’s Health Inquiry 2023) a registered charity with the aim of improving the health of men and boys in the UK, has highlighted some of the challenges relating to health outcomes amongst men:
- In the UK, one man in five dies before he reaches the age of 65. More than two in five men die before the age of 75
- Three-quarters of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease are amongst men
- Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women
- Four in five suicides are by men – suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35 and there has been a sharp increase in the rate among men aged 35- 64.
At elementas (and in my personal life) I meet many men navigating stress, pressure, or a quiet sense that something’s off. It’s easy to get caught in the doing, you know, the chasing of goals, holding it all together. Often, without much space to reflect on how you’re actually feeling, or what you truly need.
It’s also easy to be distracted from that uncomfortable feeling — to keep going, push it down, or tell yourself it’s not a big deal. But over time, these feelings stack up. And it takes courage and strength to pause and listen.
Whether it’s in leadership, life, or your own headspace, we offer a calm, grounded space to explore what matters most. Coaching isn’t about “fixing” you.
It’s about walking beside you as you reconnect with clarity, confidence, and direction. You know yourself better than anyone. Sometimes we need another human being to help us make sense and normalise what we’re experiencing; sometimes we can’t do it alone.
“There was no judgement. Just someone listening, gently helping me explore what I really wanted. I felt seen and heard, more human again.”
— Coaching client
Through Self-Leadership Coaching and Compassionate Business Coaching, elementas supports men to:
- Make sense of, identiful and be with emotions and sensations
- Feel confident in converations about emotions and health
- Build inner steadiness and balance
- Work with self-doubt and pressure
- Understand the ‘innocent” emotion of shame
- Create purposeful, sustainable change
- Lead and live with clarity and integrity
In our mixed Resilience Workshops, both men and women openly share their challenges, struggles, and successes. These shared spaces remind us that we’re not alone — and that vulnerability and strength can absolutely coexist.
Lou, elementas’ founder, is currently training as a Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. Her Master’s research focused on compassion in men’s business coaching, so you can trust you’re in safe, skilled, and genuinely supportive hands. For much of her life, she has worked alongside men in various roles and sectors.
This Men’s Health Week, give yourself permission to pause. To reflect. To be supported.
🔗 Explore coaching options. 📩 Let’s talk – book a free discovery call
You don’t have to do it all alone.
Resources:
https://ukmensday.org.uk/supporters/
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/news/mens-health-week-top-five
Cultivating Resilience: The Role of Kindness in Teams
In the pace of creative work and design planning, it is easy to get swept up in deadlines, negative feedback, and ever-evolving expectations of achievement. But sometimes, what a team needs most is a mindful pause.
At elementas, we help teams slow down, reconnect, and re-centre with themselves, each other, and the purpose that drives their work. In a world that rarely stops, we offer space to breathe, reflect, and build resilience from the inside out.
Kindness, Compassion, and Resilience: The Heart of Team Wellbeing
Kindness is the wish for ourselves or others to be happy. Compassion is the wish to ease difficulty or suffering. And when kindness meets suffering and stays steady, it becomes compassion. Compassion is more than empathy (we need empathy to notice), as it often means taking action to relieve suffering or pausing to witness it, appreciating that we can’t fix all suffering.
“When the sunshine of loving kindness
meets the raindrops of suffering,
the rainbow of compassion arises.”
Clive Holmes (Meditation Teacher, Mindfulness Association)
A while ago, the UK’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development annual Health and Wellbeing at Work Survey (2022) said that workers “want leaders who are not afraid to show compassion.” I wonder how much this has changed in the workplace? These are not just soft sentiments—they’re powerful forces for change. Kindness, compassion, and resilience become the foundations for trust, innovation, and authentic collaboration in our work with teams. Like any new behaviour, we have to take time to practice and cultivate new ways of being.
Resilience, in particular, is the inner capacity to meet pressure without becoming overwhelmed. Instead of pushing through, imagine cultivating the resources —both individually and collectively —to respond with clarity, strength, and care.
Organisational researchers Dutton and Worline (2017) share this perspective, highlighting how suffering is often hidden but pervasive in workplaces. Without compassion, organisations can become “powerful amplifiers of human suffering.” But when compassion is woven into the culture, something shifts. Teams flourish. Service improves. Innovation flows. People stay, contribute, and care.
Building Inner Resources Through Self-Respect
As we explore what supports meaningful connection in teams, it’s helpful to reflect on the inner roots of that connection. Mediation teacher Sharon Salzberg emphasises self-respect as a quiet but powerful foundation for resilience and relationships. When we act in ways that align with our values, we strengthen our sense of self-worth, not in a self-congratulatory way, but in a grounded, steady way that helps us meet life’s highs and lows with more ease.
Instead of reaching outward for reassurance, we begin to trust the clarity and strength that comes from within. This inner steadiness creates more space to be fully present with others, less guarded, more open. I guess this translates into more self-confidence and connection to our inner compass.
Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson calls this the “broaden and build” effect of positive emotions. When we cultivate emotions like self-love and compassion, we expand our capacity to think clearly, respond creatively, and connect authentically. When team members bring this kind of inner resourcefulness into their work relationships, it naturally strengthens trust, communication, and collaboration.
Why Reflecting Together Matters
When teams take time to trust each other and reflect together, powerful things happen. Insight deepens, new perspectives and understanding emerge, confidence grows, and a culture of care becomes possible and practical.
When teams take time to trust each other and reflect together, powerful things happen. Insight deepens, new perspectives and understanding emerge, confidence grows, and a culture of care becomes possible and practical.
We ask gentle, guiding questions like:
- What helps you stay grounded in stressful moments?
- What would support more confidence or ease in your day?
- How can your team hold space for one another with kindness?
These conversations become turning points—simple, human moments that build momentum in the right direction.
Support through elementas Consulting
Through our bespoke consulting sessions, we support organisations in cultivating thoughtful, resilient, and deeply connected teams that thrive. Our practical, research-informed approach ensures you’re in safe, experienced hands. Whether you’re navigating change, recovering from a challenging period, or looking to re-energise your people, we bring a mindful, human-first perspective that meets you where you are—and helps you grow from there with clarity and confidence.
Are you curious about what this could look like for your team? Let’s explore it together. Contact me for an exploratory call on 07715814833 or Lou@elementas.co.uk. Learn more at elementascoaching.com/consulting.
With warmth and presence
Lou Booth (Founder, elementas Coaching)
Burnout to Balance: How Coaching helped a Creative Director Reclaim Calm, Clarity, and Confidence
John Harris, Creative Director of Redhound Studio Ltd, understands the emotional and mental cost of leading a small business. A talented professional John was well versed in leading teams, delivering high quality for global brands. As a creative professional and entrepreneur, he faced the constant demands of running a business, from client delivery and decision-making to long hours and quiet pressure. But what if success didn’t have to come at the cost of well-being?
Through Self-Leadership and Compassionate Business Coaching with elementas founder Lou Booth, John truly connected with another human being to realise he was not alone, what he was experiencing was quite normal. Through the coaching process John discovered a new way to ‘tend and mend’ his attitude; thoughts, feelings and beliefs. He became more awareness of his well meaning but unhelpful inner critical thinking and started to befriend himself. He started to self-lead grounded in mindful awareness, emotional clarity, and self-compassion.
“Lou is an amazing lady with a wealth of knowledge. With just one session, she can unlock self-understanding, equip you with self-healing tools, and set you on a path of positive progress.”
The Hidden Weight of Small Business Leadership
Running a business is deeply personal. Small business owners often hold the responsibility for everything — vision, people, finances, and delivery — with little space to pause, reflect, or recharge.
‘More than half of small business owners in the UK experience poor mental health…Business owners report inability to focus (66%), anxiety (64%) and disrupted sleep (63%)” The Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) 2024
From Overwhelm to Empowered Clarity
John had normalised stress and self-judgment as part of being successful until he realised they were limiting his creativity, clarity, and confidence.
As part of redefining his self-leadership coaching process, John worked with Lou Booth, from elementas Coaching, to explore mindful leadership tools rooted in neuroscience, breathwork, and emotional agility.
“I have experienced your compassion, generosity and caring nature. You have restored something in me which I feared had long since died and it’s been a very long time since I allowed myself to be happy and hopeful within myself.”
So what shifted for John?
+ Sharpened Focus – “I can now focus for longer and achieve more in a day.”
+ Stress Reduction – “My stress and anxiety levels have decreased.”
+ Improved Judgment – “I feel more in control, even under pressure.”
+ Mindfulness in Action – “The overwhelming feelings have faded.”
+ More Energy – “I’m mentally stronger, motivated and more resilient.”
By developing a mindfulness practice, John learned to respond to stress and the emotion of anxiety with presence and awareness. He reclaimed calm and became a more present, effective self-leader. He leaned into what he already knew helps him; reminded in the sessions, and he naturally remembered and gained new tools and insights.
Self-Leadership for Entrepreneurs: A Natural Way Forward
This wasn’t about working harder — it was about leading from within, reconnecting with what is important and true.
Lou Booth, founder of elementas Coaching, listened to John and guided him in cultivating emotional awareness, nervous system regulation, and mindful self-leadership practices. These internal tools are now part of his daily leadership rhythm.
“Lou proves that stress and anxiety can be reduced to a point where they are of little consequence — allowing you to focus, perform at your best, and even appreciate yourself.”
Are You a Small Business Owner experiencing high stress or starting to feel demotivated and burned out?
Are you craving clarity, calm, and a more mindful approach to work.
Ready to strengthen your emotional resilience and focus.
Wanting to lead with presence and purpose, not pressure…
Then, Men’s Self-Leadership Compassionate Business Coaching at elementas may be exactly what you need right now supporting:
Mindful decision-making
Nervous system regulation
Clarity of purpose and performance
Sustainable, human-centred leadership.
Ready to Lead With Calm and Confidence?
If you’re carrying a lot — and ready for a shift that brings focus, energy and self-kindness — start your journey today with Self-Leadership and Compassionate Business Coaching get in touch with Lou Booth
Additional Resources
Enterprise Nation Business Owners and Stress
The Small Business Commissioner (OSBC)
Transforming Self-Criticism into Self-Compassion: A Guide for Mindful Leaders
It’s common to hear successful professionals say, “I’m my own worst critic.” Many business leaders rely on self-criticism to drive performance and correct their mistakes. But is this approach serving us? Or could there be a more balanced — and ultimately more sustainable — way to thrive and flourish? Taking a strategy that has better long-term health and wellness outcomes?
A study by Booth (2022) explored this question among 25 male UK business leaders. The results were telling: Twenty participants admitted they turned to self-criticism when things went wrong at work. Sixteen fluctuated between self-kindness and harshness, while four consistently used a critical inner voice. Only five participants could access a kind, reassuring tone in difficult moments. This raises a powerful question: What would shift if we replaced our inner critic with a more encouraging, mindful inner coach?
Is my inner voice encouraging me and helping me grow? Or keeping me small?
Understanding Our Emotional Systems
Professor Paul Gilbert’s evolutionary model of the brain offers a helpful framework for exploring this. According to Gilbert (2013), our emotional responses are shaped by three core brain systems:
- Threat and self-protection
- Incentive and resource-seeking
- Soothing and contentment (often called the mammalian care system)
Each system plays a vital role. The threat system helps us detect danger and survive. The incentive system drives motivation and reward-seeking, achievements, status, and success. The soothing system fosters feelings of safety, connection, and rest — the fertile ground where self-compassion grows.
Rick Hanson (2023) expands on this by identifying three fundamental human needs: to feel safe, satisfied, and connected. Our nervous system can relax, repair, and thrive when these needs are met. But when they go unmet — often due to internal or external stressors — our old survival wiring kicks in. We might fight, flee, or freeze, activating our threat system even when there’s no physical danger. The new dangers include not getting that promotion, a toxic work culture, social media shame, isolation, our pension stocks taking a dive and the cost of living crisis.
This video from Theresa Dahm helps us understand Professor Paul Gilbert’s evolutionary model of the brain and the three systems of threat, drive and soothe systems. Whilst referring to the Pandemic, it is still relevant to today’s business world, which is described as increasingly VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) – Howard & Welsh, 2023.
Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg quotes self-compassion expert Kristin Neff, who explains that when we soothe our painful feelings with the healing balm of self-compassion, we are not only changing our mental and emotional experience — we are also changing our body chemistry. While self-criticism triggers increased blood pressure, adrenaline, and cortisol (the stress chemicals of the fight-or-flight response), self-compassion activates oxytocin — the bonding hormone that supports feelings of trust, calm, safety, and generosity.
Imagine the difference this can make in those tricky, high-pressure moments — whether it’s a challenging work meeting, navigating conflict, or feeling overwhelmed in personal relationships. Developing this capacity supports self-leadership: the ability to stay grounded, wise and responsive, rather than reactive. Breathwork becomes our bridge to regulate the nervous system and return to steadiness. We’ll explore how to work with this in coaching sessions and practical tools in workshops
The Subtle Line Between Discernment and Toxic Criticism
Dr. Hickman (2022) notes that self-criticism is complex. It may serve as a defence mechanism to avoid deeper feelings like guilt or shame, and it can be shaped by early experiences, what society normalises and expects of us or cultural expectations. The brain continuously evaluates our options using an internal process called judgment or critical discernment.
The key difference between this helpful process of discernment and damaging self-criticism is in the tone; critical discernment is rational, calm, and level-headed, whereas self-criticism tends to be negative and judgmental (Hickman, 2022, pp.193–4). This difference can be massive — it affects not only how we feel but also how we respond to challenges, either with grounded self-belief or with paralysing self-doubt.
Choosing Mindful Self-Compassion as a Leadership Skill
When we slip into self-criticism, we may unknowingly keep our body in a heightened stress state — even if we’re sitting safely at our desk. This makes it harder to access the soothing system and the calm, connected energy we need to make clear decisions, build trust, and lead effectively.
By contrast, mindful self-compassion — treating ourselves with the same care we’d offer a friend — activates the very systems that regulate stress, promote resilience, and increase emotional well-being (Hanson, 2023). Studies show that feeling cared about — including by ourselves — helps us recover faster from setbacks, fuels ambition, and encourages healthier relationships.
In short: self-compassion isn’t soft. It’s smart. It is having an own inner coach, someone on our side.
A New Inner Dialogue
What if your inner voice sounded more like a wise mentor and less like a critic? What if your default response to challenge was curiosity, not blame?
Developing self-compassion doesn’t mean we stop striving—it means we support ourselves while we strive. It’s the difference between growing through fear and growing through care. It takes courage, strength, commitment, and bravery to live true to our inner values in our outer world. At the same time, we must maintain our self-care, paying attention to our inner landscape, living well, and cultivating true resilience.
So next time something goes wrong, take a breath. Notice the tone of your inner voice. And ask yourself:
Is this helping me grow or keeping me small?
Ready to lead with more clarity, calm, and confidence? Get in touch today to book a free discovery call to learn more about workshops and coaching to gather practical techniques to foster self-compassion and lead with confidence.
References
- BOOTH, L. (2022). The Impact of Self-Criticism on Business Leaders.
- GILBERT, P. and CHODEN (2013). Mindful Compassion: Using the Power of Mindfulness and Compassion to Transform Our Lives. Robinson.
- HANSON, R. (2023). Foundations of Wellbeing Programme.
- HICKMAN, S. (2021). Self-Compassion For Dummies. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.
- NEFF, K. (2025) https://self-compassion.org/
- SHARON SALZBERG (2017) Real Love – The Art of Mindful Connection. Bluebird, Pan Macmillian.
The role of values in happiness
Deeply rooted in my values and inner compass is a fascination with people, travel, art/culture, and nature. In the last decade, through my own transformation, I have been inquisitive about the potential of mindfulness and compassion for being fully alive in life, work, and play with awareness. So, when my husband-to-be suggested we take our honeymoon in Bhutan, I was overjoyed.
“Pilgrims travel not just to reaffirm a particular religious faith, but in hope of finding peace of mind, perspective and commuity in an increasingly fractured world”
COMO BHUTAN
Little did I realise what I was letting myself in for on our adventurous trip to this majestical land and unexplored Eastern Himalayan mountains. Steeped in outstanding natural beauty, cultural gems and spontaneous joy, interwoven with warm hospitality, Bhutan is special. I hope these images share some of my experiences as I journey through this magical land.
So, landscapes and portraits can lead you from an understanding of outer beauty to that of the inner beauty of spiritual awakening and the boundless human qualities that accompany such awakening, as the warmth and light of rays naturally accompany the sun.
Matthieu Ricard
Bhutan – A Journey to the Epicentre of Happiness (coming soon)
Mindfulness v Self-Compassion
Let’s take a moment together explore something an area we both may be curious about — the relationship between mindfulness and self-compassion. These two practices, while distinct, are beautifully interconnected and when cultivated together, they become a powerful foundation for inner resilience, clarity, and genuine well-being.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is simply the practice of coming home to the present moment. It’s noticing what’s here — thoughts, emotions, sensations — without needing to change it, fix it, or judge it. Just being with it, gently.
It’s the quiet courage of saying:
“This is what I’m feeling right now, and that’s okay.”
Whether you’re noticing tightness in your chest before a big meeting or catching your mind racing ahead into worry and overthinking mindfulness is the practice of awareness with softness. It helps us pause, breathe, and connect with what’s really going on beneath the surface.
What is Self-Compassion?
Self-compassion is about offering yourself the same warmth, patience, and kindness you’d naturally extend to someone you care deeply about.
It’s the inner voice that says:
“This is hard. But you’re not alone. And you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of care.”
Self-compassion is not self-pity, and it’s not indulgence. It’s a recognition that you are human — gloriously imperfect, just like the rest of us — and that you’re doing the best you can.
How Are They Similar?
Mindfulness and self-compassion both call us to awareness and acceptance. They both encourage us to drop the harsh inner critic and meet ourselves with honesty, curiosity, and tenderness.
Where mindfulness shines a light on our inner landscape, self-compassion helps us walk through it with love and self-care.
How They Work Together
This is where the magic happens.
- Mindfulness helps you see your pain clearly.
- Self-compassion helps you hold that pain with gentleness.
For example:
You’re feeling overwhelmed by a work deadline.
- Mindfulness allows you to say: “I’m noticing tightness in my body. I’m stressed and tense.”
- Self-compassion steps in and says: “This is tough, and I’m not alone in feeling this way. I’m allowed to feel this. I’ll be kind to myself through it.”
See the difference? One brings awareness; the other brings care. Together, they help you stay rooted, strong and kind with self-care even in the messy middle of life experiences.
In Summay
These practices aren’t about becoming someone new. They’re about coming home to yourself — with presence, with kindness, and with grace. Imagine a business mindset that supports motivation and achievement through health and well-being, resilience, and self-care.
Whether you’re navigating change, overwhelm, or just in the beautiful complexity of being human, mindfulness and self-compassion can be your anchors.
Be gentle with yourself — you may possibly be greatly underestimating your abilities and doing much better than you think. Take a breath to remember how far you have come, feel the sensations in your body and celebrate yourself.
To find out more about how elementas coaching for men and woman , workshops or consultancy can make a difference please get in touch.
Is it Time to Reset Your Compass?
Are you feeling off course but unsure how to get back on track?
Have you lost your way on the path and trying to figure out which way to go, to get where you need to be?
The direction may appear unclear, and the next steps may be a bit blurry, maybe a little scary…
We all veer off track sometimes. It’s pretty normal. Please know that you are not alone; it’s all part of the human experience. Yet being off track can be uncomfortable, it takes us out of our comfort zone and can even trigger our stress response.
Despite what we are told and what we see and hear around us in the carefully curated media images and messages and flashy social feeds we consume, not everyone is ‘living their best life 24/7”. Imagine, it would be pretty impossible! Our lives are a rich tapestry of contrasts intricately woven with light and dark, sorrow and joy, fog and clarity, success and failure, night and day.
Sometimes, life is difficult. Events and experiences beyond our control can mean we find ourselves in the ups and downs; we may find ourselves depleted in energy and focus. It is perfectly normal. Amidst the happiness surrounding us, we may experience struggle and difficulties, even a loss of faith in ourselves or low confidence. The motivation to achieve a healthier or calmer lifestyle, a more satisfying job, or richer, fulfilling relationships may be too hard to ignite . Or being able to follow-through alone may be too hard to maintain.
All the While (Lyrics by The Pines)
“I was lost at sea, all the waves crash over me, I was lost,
I was lost, but I was free”
Sometimes being aware; knowing where we are and experiencing thoughts or feelings of being a little lost, low or depleted, whilst hard means we are in a good place to rest, restart, re-focus, and get back on track. We can more be open to new opportunities and directions.
Sometimes, we need a little helping hand and support and that’s ok. We may need a “leg up” to get us back on track, to shift our perspective to what will bring us more hope, joy and purpose in our days. If we are lucky, this can come from talking to a wise teacher, a friend, a colleague, or a family member.
Here are five tried-and-tested tips that help me reset my inner compass and get back on track quicker with kindness and self-care!
- Enjoy what energises you (and do more of this). For example, spending time with people or animals that love you can help us feel more connected generating “the love hormone” oxytocin. Have hobbies or places that nourish you. Be aware of people, places, and activities that deplete you (and avoid or do less), e.g., spending too much time in toxic situations, excessive unhealthy eating or drinking. Pay attention to your core needs.
- Practice mindful appreciation for what is good right now, also known as gratitude. Counting the little glimmers of good really does adds up,. Simply take a moment to notice them, to be present, breath and savour them, be that a warm drink, a refreshing shower, a peaceful sunset, and a reassuring smile.
- Consider cultivating Self-compassion and kindness as a powerful inner resource. The Lotus flower is often used as a metaphor to understand compassion how strength, and resilience is unearthed in difficult situations; the Lotus flower needs the mud to grow (difficulty) and with self-care emerges beautiful, crisp, and clear. Reminding us to “keep heart” when life is tricky.
- Get out in Nature and enjoy the fresh air, whatever the weather. Notice that even the rain can be pleasurable when you step out and dressed are for it. Nature is an abundant, magical tonic that helps us activate our natural occurring mood-lifting chemicals like serotonin and endorphins in physical activity. Narina Riskowitz is a fellow professional and friend who has researched the powerful benefits of mindfulness and nature.
- Gently set your direction and intention (the what) daily and your reason/motivation (the why). For example, “today, I will try to eat well (the what) to help maintain healthy digestion because I feel better (the why).” Start small, notice and savour your achievements – “I choose vegetables and they were yummy”, “I’m proud I went for an energising swim, even when I couldn’t be bothered”, or “I was sad, I called a friend for a chat. It felt good”. Remember, energy follows focus; what we pay attention to gets stronger.
Dan J Siegal MD (Aware -The Science of Practice of Presence, 2018)
“where attention goes, neural firing flows and neural connections grow”
Lou is passionate about coaching professionals and business owners to get back and stay on track. She helps clients find clarity and insight, empowering them to solve their personal and work challenges. Her unique approach draws upon practical experiences and powerful, research-backed, mindful, compassionate self-leadership techniques that help clients find their focus and motivation.
If you need that extra bit of help check out my previous wellness blogs or get in touch Lou (link) for a discovery call to learn about how coaching could help you reset your compass, building your self-leadership getting you back on track quicker with kindness.
In Search of Happiness
Deeply rooted in my values and inner compass is a fascination with people, travel, art/culture, and nature. In the last decade, through my own transformation, I have been inquisitive about the potential of mindfulness and compassion for being fully alive in life, work, and play with awareness. So, when my husband-to-be suggested we take our honeymoon in Bhutan, I was overjoyed.
“Pilgrims travel not just to reaffirm a particular religious faith, but in hope of finding peace of mind, perspective and commuity in an increasingly fractured world”
COMO BHUTAN
Little did I realise what I was letting myself in for on our adventurous trip to this majestical land and unexplored Eastern Himalayan mountains. Steeped in outstanding natural beauty, cultural gems and spontaneous joy, interwoven with warm hospitality, Bhutan is special. I hope these images share some of my experiences as I journey through this magical land.
So, landscapes and portraits can lead you from an understanding of outer beauty to that of the inner beauty of spiritual awakening and the boundless human qualities that accompany such awakening, as the warmth and light of rays naturally accompany the sun.
Matthieu Ricard
Bhutan – A Journey to the Epicentre of Happiness (coming soon)