Welcome to Living Well Daily, the newsletter serving up tips to help you live a healthier, happier life.
In today’s edition:
😊Mental / Emotional Well-Being: Common Humanity: You’re Not Alone
💖Longevity & Wellness: The Power of Self-compassion
🌱Trauma Healing: Reclaiming Your Body: Safety in Your Skin Again (Day 2/5)
☀️Journal & Joy Prompts
🧠 Inner Reps: Mental Well-Being Interval Workout
👇 And more good stuff!
Today’s Edition
May this day be as spectacular as you are! You are great, wonderful, and special!
Common Humanity: You’re Not Alone
When we’re having a hard time and have a tendency towards being self-critical, it’s easy to believe we’re uniquely flawed. But the truth is, being imperfect is part of being human. And you, my friend, even with imperfections are worthy, beautiful, and needed in this world.
So, how do we get ourselves out of the self-critical feeling and remind ourselves that we’re not lost when life gets hard? By remembering our common humanity. Common humanity is a powerful pathway to softening self-judgment and opening space for compassion, without denying that things are tough. Common humanity is the practice of reminding ourselves that despite our differences, we all struggle, others feel it too, and if others have made it through there’s hope for us too.
✨ Why it matters: softens self-judgement, increases self-compassion while breaking cycles of harsh self-talk, reduces isolation by normalizing struggles.
🌟 How to practice common humanity
🪞 When you’re being hard on yourself, pause and say: “Others feel this too. How would I treat someone I care about who was feeling like I am now?”
📖 Recall a story of someone you admire who has struggled.
💬 Share your challenges with a trusted friend.
🙏 Replace “What’s wrong with me?” with “This is part of being human.”
🥾Find hope in the reminder that “others have made it through and I can too.”
✅ Action Step: Today, when you catch yourself in self-criticism, pause and remind yourself: “I’m not alone in this. Others have been here too.”
The Power of Self-compassion
Self-compassion is beneficial for you and can lead to improved physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Research (J. Breines, et al. 2015) shows that practicing self-compassion in the face of stressful events reduces inflammation markers in the body.
What is self-compassion?
Self-compassion, as defined by Dr. Kristin Neff, means treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a close friend. It involves three parts: being gentle with yourself instead of being critical, remembering that struggle is part of being human, and staying mindful so challenges don’t overwhelm you.
When to use self-compassion?
Whenever you find yourself being tough on yourself (you may have made a mistake, ruminated over the past, etc.) or when you’re facing a stressful situation.
The more you practice self-compassion the easier it becomes over time. It is a muscle that needs to be worked. That is why you will always find it at least 1+ times a week in our Inner Reps.
Action step: Do today’s Inner Reps (right here in the newsletter) to strengthen your capacity to tap into and cultivate self-compassion.
Reclaiming Your Body: Safety in Your Skin Again
Trauma often makes the body feel unsafe. This week is about gently rebuilding connection and safety, so your body can start to feel like home.
Day 2: Noticing Sensations Without Judgment
Reconnecting can start with awareness, observing without labeling sensations as “good” or “bad.”
👣 Try a body scan: move from head to toe, noticing where there’s tension, ease, or numbness.
👀 Describe sensations neutrally: “warm,” “tingly,” “tight,” instead of “good” or “bad.”
⏸️ If a sensation feels too much, pause and return later, it’s okay to go slow.
🌿 Even a few seconds of noticing starts building safety and connection. It’s like saying “I see you and I’m here for you.”
Darling, don’t give up on yourself, you’re so worth it. Sending love 💕
You are allowed to outgrow places, people, and patterns. It’s not betrayal, it’s becoming.
📖Journal Prompt:
Building a Caring Relationship with Yourself
What are some things that frustrate you? Can you find any values that explain why they bug you so much?
🌟Spark of Joy:
Let Little Things Move You
Splash cool water on your face… each drop washing away the weight of the world, leaving you fresh and ready for what’s next.
Today’s Mental and Emotional Workout:
This workout will increase your ability to:
Treat yourself with compassion, increasing your self-confidence, worth and decreasing stress & anxiety
See that you are enough
Control your mind and become present with more ease when your mind starts to pull you into future anxiety or ruminating over the past
In under 8 minutes, you’ll strengthen positive neural pathways for long-term well-being and end the workout feeling better than you started! (Click on the photo below to access the workout)
Thank you for being here!
Before you go, let us know what you thought of today’s edition and if there are any subjects you would like us to cover in the future reply to this email and let us know!
What did you think of today's edition?
With love and care,
Lola & Joshua | The Living Well Team
Living Well Daily is for educational purposes only and is in no way a substitute for professional medical and mental health advice and diagnosis. Please consult a qualified professional for care unique to your needs.
Remember: It’s okay to ask for help. Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (Canada & US).