We’ve all been there – lying awake at night, mercilessly dragging ourselves through the mental wringer over a mistake, failure or perceived shortcoming. The things that make us human can often act as kindling for a fiery dose of self-criticism, negative self-talk and unhelpful rumination. During periods of stress or uncertainty, we can be especially tough on ourselves, and the pandemic makes things harder – but maybe self-compassion can help.
Stressed and sleepless
Covid-19 has created a mentally taxing environment for many Kiwis. Daily news briefings, fluctuating case numbers, (mis)information, and shifting alert levels have introduced a way of life that feels unsettling at best. A 2020 mental health survey, conducted during the first New Zealand lockdown, found one in six Kiwis were experiencing moderate to severe anxiety – levels well above those reported in earlier surveys. These findings are not unusual. Around the world, mental health researchers
