This time around, we’re chatting with Susan Frances Morris, author of The Sensitive One.

Hey, Susan! If you could recommend One Good Thing everyone can do to improve their mental health, what would it be?

I recommend practicing self-compassion.

Why is this your One Good Thing?

I’m a nurse; compassion comes easily for me with others. But when it came to me, it was another story. I asked myself, what if I started treating myself like my patients – being kind and encouraging?

I now know how to comfort and care for myself in challenging times.

What actually is self-compassion? How does it work?

The dictionary defines compassion as a sympathetic concern for the suffering or misfortunes of others. If someone shows kindness, caring and willingness to help others, they show compassion. When you have understanding, you’re putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and feeling for them.

Self-compassion is simply turning that same compassion inward.

One Good Thing: why learning to practise self-compassion will make you happier