It’s so important to care for ourselves and others – deep emotional compassion for ourselves must be cultivated.
Here are 5 inspiring TED talks on self-love and self-care that will help you on your journey to loving yourself.
1. Why we all need to practice emotional first aid
We’ll go to the doctor when we feel flu-ish or a nagging pain. So why don’t we see a health professional when we feel emotional pain: guilt, loss, loneliness?
Too many of us deal with common psychological-health issues on our own, says Guy Winch. But we don’t have to.
He makes a compelling case to practice emotional hygiene — taking care of our emotions, our minds, with the same diligence we take care of our bodies.
2. The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love.
In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.
3. Love Others to Love Yourself
Keiichiro Hirano believes authentic self-love starts with being open to knowing all of our “selves”—whether we like them or not.
In his tender talk from TEDxKyoto, Hirano suggests that with the help of our loved ones we can begin to honestly and completely love who we are. (In Japanese with English subtitles).
4. All it takes is 10 mindful minutes
When is the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 whole minutes? Not texting, talking or even thinking?
Mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe describes the transformative power of doing just that: Refreshing your mind for 10 minutes a day, simply by being mindful and experiencing the present moment.
5. Want to be happy? Be grateful
The one thing all humans have in common is that each of us wants to be happy, says Brother David Steindl-Rast, a monk and interfaith scholar. And happiness, he suggests, is born from gratitude.
An inspiring lesson in slowing down, looking where you’re going, and above all, being grateful.
Want more TED talks? Check these out: