Vet MEDitation: Self-Compassion Break

In this practice, you will focus on compassionate intentions to pair with your breathing. This break is meant for veterinary professionals to take a moment out of their day to practice self-compassion through a compassionate breathing exercise.

License-free music in this track provided by Pure-Energy Go: Wilde Affair by Contemplation

Transcript

Welcome back to Vet Meditation,

A series created specifically for veterinary professionals.

In this practice,

We will be focusing on taking a self-compassion break.

For this particular break,

We will be working to extend comforting intentions towards ourselves.

If it's comfortable and safe for you to do so,

Maybe allow your eyes to close softly.

If not,

Just have a soft gaze downward towards the ground,

Not really focusing on anything in particular.

For this practice,

If you'd like to,

You can place one or both hands over your heart as an extra intention of self-compassion.

Bring your attention to your breath,

Not trying to change it,

Just noticing the breath as it flows in and out.

And for this practice,

We're going to pair our intentions with some deep breathing,

Repeating the same intention on the inhale and exhale before moving on to the next one.

You can repeat these out loud to yourself or silently in your mind,

Whatever works best for you.

Let's go ahead and begin our deep breathing,

Finding that next inhale,

Thinking,

I am strong.

And repeating it on the exhale.

I am doing my best.

And repeating on the exhale.

I am doing my best.

On the inhale,

I am comforted and supported.

And exhale,

I am comforted and supported.

On the inhale,

I show myself kindness.

And exhale,

I show myself kindness.

You can repeat any of these intentions from our practice,

Or take some time to come up with your own for these last few deep breaths of our practice together today.

Inhale,

I am not perfect,

And that is okay.

Exhale,

I am not perfect,

And that is okay.

Slowly let your breathing return back to its natural rhythm.

Bringing some gentle movement back to the body,

Or maybe releasing the hands from the heart.

Allowing your surroundings back into your awareness,

And if you have the eyes closed,

Allowing them to open softly.

Thank you so much for joining me for this brief self-compassion break.

I hope that this is a practice that can continue supporting you and your well-being as a veterinary professional.

Until next time everyone,

Take care,

Stay healthy,

And be well.