SELF-COMPASSION

IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

SECONDARY 3
SIS SJ
2 SEPTEMBER 2022
WHAT’S SELF-COMPASSION?
HOW WOULD I TREAT A FRIEND?
 INFORMAL DEFINITION OF
SELF-COMPASSION

• Treating ourselves with the

same kindness and
understanding as we would
treat a dear friend when things
go wrong.
 FORMAL DEFINITION
OF SELF-COMPASSION

Kindness

Common Mindfulness
Humanity

Neff, 2003
 TWO APPROACHES
TO SELF-COMPASSION

YIN: (“being with”) comfort, connect, validate

YANG: (“acting in the world”) protect, provide, motivate

CARE
MISGIVINGS ABOUT SELF-COMPASSION

1. Self-pity
2. Weak
3. Selfish
4. Self-indulgent
5. Demotivating
ACADEMIC ARTICLES ON SELF-COMPASSION
(N=1840)*

*Google Scholar entries until 2018 with self-compassion in the title

SELF-COMPASSION IS GOOD FOR YOU!

• Increases in wellbeing – happiness, life

satisfaction, coping, emotional resilience,
emotional intelligence
• Decreases in anxiety, depression, stress, shame
• Improved physical health – immune functioning,
healthy behaviors such as exercise and balanced
diet.
• More satisfying relationships – collaborative,
compassionate
SELF-COMPASSION BREAK
THE ESSENTIAL SELF-COMPASSION
QUESTION - “What do I need?”

•What do I need?
…to feel safe
…to be comforted, soothed, validated
…to protect, provide for, motivate yourself?

•How would I treat a friend in the same situation?

•How do I care for yourself already?

SELF-COMPASSION FOR CAREGIVERS

Less compassion fatigue

More compassion satisfaction
Greater resilience
Less sleep disturbance
GIVING AND RECEIVING COMPASSION
Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
www.centerformsc.org
Chris Germer
www.mindfulselfcompassion.org
Kristin Neff