By AAT Comment Mental health Top tips for practising self-kindness while you study 14 May 2025 Self-criticism can increase stress, anxiety and procrastination, however, self-compassion helps build resilience, motivation and emotional wellbeing. Learn how to enhance your skills with these tips. Being kind to yourself makes a significant difference to your mental health, studies and work life. While many of us find it easy to show compassion to friends and colleagues when they face challenges, we often treat ourselves much more harshly. Self-kindness is not about lowering standards or making excuses, it’s about creating conditions that help you perform at your best while maintaining good mental health. People who display self-compassion often achieve more than those who are self-critical, as they are better able to learn from setbacks and stay motivated. 6 techniques for self-compassion 1. Notice negative self-talk The first step in being kinder to yourself is recognising negative self-talk. Notice when you use words like ‘should’, ‘must’, or ‘have to’. These create unnecessary pressure. Replace them with more balanced language such as ‘I’m choosing to’ or ‘I would like to’. This slight shift will help reduce anxiety while maintaining motivation. 2. Create your routine Continuously tweak your routine to find what works for you, so that you feel you are getting the right balance and have good and consistent energy levels. Your routine might include exercise, sleep times, healthy meal plans and time with friends. 3. Take regular breaks Your brain needs time to process information and rest, so schedule short breaks between study sessions or work tasks. Use this time to stretch, drink water or take a walk. Laurie Santos, a cognitive scientist and happiness expert at Yale University, wrote in The New York Times: “There’s lots of work on what’s called time affluence, the subjective sense that you have some free time. The simple act of giving myself a break — two to five minutes to catch my breath between tasks — makes me feel less time-famished. Studies would suggest that just changing that sense of time famine can have a disproportionate impact on wellbeing.” Try AAT’s wellbeing hub If you need further support on how to be kinder to yourself, and other tips for practising a positive state of mind, try AAT’s wellbeing hub. Find out more 4. Set realistic expectations You can probably achieve way less than you think you can in a day but way more than you think you can in a year. Focus on one priority task at a time and break large projects into smaller, manageable steps. 5. Write down your achievements Celebrate small wins along the way rather than focusing only on the end goal and spend 10 minutes writing down everything you are proud of from the last year. It will help you maintain perspective and look at the bigger picture. One bad grade or difficult day doesn’t define your abilities or worth. 6. Embrace failure If you only succeeded at everything you did, you never would have pushed yourself. Everyone faces challenges and setbacks, which are normal parts of learning and growth. Further reading 5 easy ways to reduce workplace stress Coping with stress when studying for your AAT qualifications What can I do to manage stress and anxiety while studying? AAT Comment offers news and opinion on the world of business and finance from the Association of Accounting Technicians.