How to be more compassionate

While some people are naturally more compassionate, experts believe there are steps you can take to cultivate a greater sense of compassion for yourself and others:

Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a practice that involves focusing on the present moment, becoming more aware of your own thoughts, and observing these thoughts without judgment. According to research, mindfulness-based interventions can improve self-compassion.

Bring your attention to the situation: The first step in developing compassion is becoming more aware of what others are going through. Put yourself in their shoes. Being able to see things from another person's point of view can help you develop empathy for their situation. Put yourself in the shoes of others and imagine how you would react. Consider how they might be feeling.

Let go of judgment: It is critical to accept people as they are and to avoid passing judgment. Accept people for who they are rather than criticize or blame the victim.