Self Compassion Flashcards
Self Compassion History
First 2
Origins in Buddhism
(~5th century BC): Seen as a cornerstone. To well being and personal growth , responding to challenges we face every day
Introduced to Western
Psychology (Late 20th
Century)
Self Compassion History
Last 2
Dr. Kristin Neff’s
Pioneering Research
(2003): Defined it, and created a measurement, see how it looks like in people and different situations
Emergence in Sport and
Exercise Psychology
(2010s)
SELF-COMPASSION
Definition
Self-compassion is acknowledging and
addressing one’s suffering with kindness and nonjudgemental understanding, seeing pain and shortcomings as part of the shared human experience
SELF-COMPASSION
One’s Suffering
Ones Suffering: it’s just any form of discomfort, negative emotion, feeling a bit off about Something, can be physical, emotional and psycological
SELF-COMPASSION
Acknowledging and addressing:
Acknowledging and addressing: first we must acknowledge, humans sometimes doesn’t notice that. It is not about avoiding, you are deciding to take actions about the situation
SELF-COMPASSION
3 core components of a self-compassion
(Self- Kindness) compared with Self Judgment
(Mindfulness) compared with Over-Identification
(Common Humanity) compared with Isolation
COMPONENTS OF SELF-COMPASSION: Self-Kindness
- Responding to setbacks with support and understanding (like a
good friend would). - Offering warmth and encouragement instead of harsh criticism.
Purpose: creates a sense of safety and acceptance; helps athletes
stay mentally strong.
Self Kindness is compared with Self judgment (define)
Being overly critical and judgmental about the situation, we look inward and critiques ourselves, it very common, almost like a defence mechanism
COMPONENTS OF SELF-COMPASSION: Mindfulness
- Taking an open, non-judgmental stance toward one’s experiences.
- Acknowledging and accepting emotions without avoiding or
exaggerating them.
Purpose: helps athletes step back and see situations with
perspective; prevents getting stuck in cycles of negative reactivity.
Mindfulness is compared with Over-Identification (define)
Tendency to over exaggerate any negative experience that happens to us, negative experience weighting heavier than the positive one
COMPONENTS OF SELF-COMPASSION: Common Humanity
- Recognizing that mistakes, setbacks, and struggles are a natural
part of being human—and being an athlete or exerciser. - Understanding that challenges connect us rather than isolate us.
Purpose: helps athletes feel connected rather than isolated; normalizes setbacks as part of growth and shared experience.
BENEFITS OF SELF-COMPASSION IN SPORT
Improved Well-Being
Improved Reactions to
Setbacks
Enhanced Performance
Increases Motivation
Enhanced Exercise
Adherence
Improved Body Image
and Acceptance
Improved Emotion
Regulation
BENEFITS OF SELF-COMPASSION IN EXERCISE: Improved Well-Being:
- Reduces negative
emotions (including
anxiety) - Reduces likelihood of
burnout - Greater emotional
recovery
BENEFITS OF SELF-COMPASSION IN EXERCISE: Improved Reactions to
Setbacks:
- Promotes positive
mindsets, adaptive
responses, and
perserverance. - Minimizes the harmful
effects of self-
criticism.
BENEFITS OF SELF-COMPASSION IN EXERCISE: Enhanced Performance:
- Promotes better focus
- Reduces rumination
- Encourages adaptive
coping strategies - Promotes resilience
