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<speak> How to practice compassion<break strength="x-strong"/> <break strength="x-strong"/> So you are ready to take the plunge, engage your soothing system and receive and extend compassion. How does one go about doing this? Of course, as with the other skills in this program, determining which practices align best with your beliefs and values is vital for success. To get you started, though, here are some ways we may be able to work with compassion:<break strength="x-strong"/> <emphasis level="strong">Engage in mindfulness.</emphasis> Hopefully this program has helped you become more aware of what compassion does (and doesn’t) look like in your life. The more intentional we can be about acts of kindness and compassion, the more we train our bodies to reap the benefits. A great way to formally practice mindfulness of compassion is through <emphasis level="strong">loving-kindness meditations</emphasis>, such as the one included in this session.<break strength="x-strong"/> <emphasis level="strong">Keep a compassion journal</emphasis>. Research shows that one of the best ways to keep up with a new habit is to keep a written record of when we engage in that habit. Try keeping a journal where you jot down moments of compassion you gave out or received throughout the day (using an app on your phone is fine as well!).<break strength="x-strong"/> <emphasis level="strong">Reflect on past experiences</emphasis>. Feeling stuck on how to build more compassion in your life? Try recalling moments where you felt loved, cared for and supported, or offered those experiences to others. What can you take away from those moments? How might you be able to incorporate some of those same feelings now.<break strength="x-strong"/> <emphasis level="strong">Have a mantra</emphasis>. Mantras are words and phrases we repeat to ourselves, intended to support us when times get tough. The key is finding the language that works for you, and that does not feel “fake.” Examples may include “I am enough,” “I am loved” and “I am right where I need to be.”<break strength="x-strong"/> <emphasis level="strong">Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.</emphasis> This one can be especially important with self-compassion. If you are having trouble being kind to yourself, imagine a close friend or family member in the same position, coming to you for support. What would you tell them? How would you hold space for them? This can help us generate ideas for how to support ourselves in the same situations.<break strength="x-strong"/> <break strength="x-strong"/> <break strength="x-strong"/> <break strength="x-strong"/> <break strength="x-strong"/> </speak>