A new study conducted by researchers at McGill University in Canada reveals that practicing self-compassion alongside caring for others is essential for maintaining optimal mental health. Evaluating over 1,200 participants, the study concluded that individuals who extend empathy both to themselves and to others experience significantly higher levels of psychological well-being.

The findings indicate that focusing exclusively on caring for others does not automatically guarantee positive mental outcomes. Professionals in caregiving fields—such as teachers, doctors, and parents—frequently prioritize others while remaining overly critical or neglectful of themselves. Researchers noted that low self-compassion leads to heightened stress, anxiety, emotional burnout, and social isolation.

Lead author Bassam Khoury emphasized that self-compassion should not be mistaken for selfishness, but rather viewed as a foundational requirement for sustained empathy toward others. Participants who demonstrated balanced compassion toward themselves, other people, and animals exhibited superior emotional regulation, stronger social connections, and better overall mental resilience.