Self-compassion is a psychological concept that appears to be receiving long over-due attention. The term refers to a state of mind whereby the individual becomes open to their own suffering, not avoiding or disconnecting from it, but seeing it without judgment or criticism, whereby the person tends themselves with kindness and care.
Whilst this may seem a bit “new age”, research is increasingly demonstrating the positive role self-compassion has in healthy ageing. Those who are more self-compassionate tend to show greater positivity, a better sense of connection with others and greater self-resilience. In other studies, there is evidence that goals associated with positive behaviour change such as reducing alcohol consumption or increasing physical activity are more likely to be achieved when a self-compassion approach is used rather than shame or blame.
This then leads us to consider interventions that might help us become a little more self-compassionate. In a recent collaborative study published Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, March 2024, the impact of two such interventions were assessed on physical inactivity and self-compassion.
Around 140 older people were divided into two groups. One group received a mindfulness-based stress reduction programme 2 hours a week for 8 weeks. The programme was focussed on teaching skills of self-compassion, kindness and meditation. The other group received a health self-management programme with the focus on setting goals and plans to engage in positive health activities such as improved nutrition, increased exercise, reducing stress and planning for the future.
The results showed different positive effects of the two interventions. The self-management group showed an increase in physical activity (using a self-report questionnaire) that was sustained at the 6-month measurement point suggesting this was a long-term behaviour change. The mindfulness group, on the other hand, showed improvements in self-compassion also sustained at 6 months.
These results taken together suggest that a simple self-management education and mindfulness training may help to foster long term changes in self-compassion and in physical activity, both of which are strongly associated with healthy ageing and better cognitive outcomes.
If you want help with increasing your physical activity and applying mindfulness techniques to facilitate self-compassion please get in touch as these are the bed rocks of my behaviour change programmes.