Skip to content

The Mental Health Benefits of Self Acceptance

A young woman holding her water bottle up to her chest.

You are someone who is worthy of love. Almost everyone has trouble with self-acceptance, and that may be due to the fact that we all have a dark side. We all fall short of our ideals more often than we care to admit. This makes it hard to see ourselves as good people. Developing your better side and learning how to accept yourself in spite of your failings is the shortest path to lasting happiness.

With the isolation brought on by the current coronavirus pandemic, people are spending more time alone with their thoughts. Many people are taking advantage of the downtime to evaluate themselves and do some self-care. Today I am going to explore the path to self-acceptance and its many benefits.

How To Be Happy

Modern research confirms what ancient wisdom has often said: a purpose-driven life creates happiness. Sometimes having a purpose means we miss out on some of life’s pleasures and conveniences. Having responsibility can be painful and disappointing, especially when things don’t go according to plan.

Even when things go bad, having a meaning and a purpose of driving your life can make the suffering easier to bear. Everybody has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. When we encounter situations we cannot overcome, our weaknesses become more prominent, and self doubt sets in. Having a support network is one of the best ways to rise above our shortcomings and find happiness.

There are so many things to keep track of in life that sometimes it can be hard to stay on top of everything. If you’re like most people, then you probably spend too much time on one area and neglect others. A wellness wheel is a tool I use to help keep the different parts of life balanced and find the most happiness possible.

Diet and exercise are difficult to keep under control, but they are vital for people seeking meaning and purpose in life. A good supplement can help you maintain top performance through both the lows and the highs of life. One supplement I use is Onnit New Mood. It’s great for that extra boost to stay on track.

I also enjoy journaling for mental health. Writing down my thoughts helps me keep focused on my purpose and avoid distractions. The time I spend journaling and scheduling helps to keep me from self-sabotage and negative thinking. Give journaling a try. You may find that it will help you to reflect on things to improve, without judging yourself so harshly. Some people find that it’s easy to be kind to others. However, they often find that it’s harder to be kind to themselves. Write your accomplishments down. Do this, and you’ll find it easier to accept that you are a good person.

What is Contentment?

To feel at ease with yourself, you have to let go of self-judgment and self-doubt. It’s important that you don’t talk negatively about yourself. Life is hard enough without being your own worst critic.

Young man have a discord with himself
If You Can Be Content With What You Have, It Is A Lot Easier To Live In The Moment (Image Source: Shutterstock)

As you make progress toward your goals, it’s important to be happy in the moment. Stay present, and worry less about tomorrow. If you can be content with what you have, it is a lot easier to live in the moment. That doesn’t mean you should kick back and be lazy. Far from it. People who are content are rarely lazy. The people who say they are content but never do anything are more likely to be numb than content. People who have discovered the joys of self-love and acceptance usually feel a strong desire to share. They work harder because they want everyone else in their life to share joy.

One of the hallmarks of happy people is that they are quite often very generous with what they have. Happy people share spontaneously and not out of a sense of duty. They are hard workers who realize that their success and contentment are reinforced when they live in a healthy, vibrant community.

Self-judgment is a common problem for high achievers. Many people find it hard to be nice to themselves when they don’t meet all of their goals. It’s important to be understanding and accepting of yourself. So, don’t fall into the trap of self-scolding.

My main tool to fight self-criticism is mindfulness. It works so well for me, I’ve shared it with a lot of my friends. I gave a close friend the Meditation with Muse 2 headband for her birthday. It’s helping her to get in the groove by monitoring her biorhythms and providing post-meditation feedback. I use it, too, and I love how there are hundreds of guided meditations accessible through the app. It makes meditation easy and relaxing.

Achieve Happiness Through Self-Acceptance

When you are able to balance your life and think nice thoughts about yourself, you will find it easier to attain happiness. People who understand themselves and accept both their good and their bad sides have an easier time recovering from burnout.

Brené Brown on Self-Acceptance and Complacency – Tim Ferriss

A stable outlook combined with a positive self-image is enough to turn even the most cynical and nihilistic life around. I’ve found great benefits from wellness books. Everyone has a different path, so no one book is right for everyone, but you can find something ideal for you. It’s easier than you might think. And if you find a method you like, sharing good books with like-minded friends is a great idea for holiday gifts and birthdays.

Being cooped up indoors because of a virus is a great time to work on self-improvement. Chances are many of your friends are already working on a betterment project. Do you have time to get to know yourself better? What can you do today to promote your own self-acceptance?