#139 - Kristin Neff, Ph.D.: The power of self-compassion

The Peter Attia Drive

Kristin Neff is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas, author, and a leading expert on mindful self-compassion. In this episode, she shares how developing a self-compassion and mindfulness practice was the most effective tool for relieving her own suffering, and provides strategies and tactics to improve self-compassion and well-being.

We discuss:

• The life crisis that turned Kristin to mindfulness and self-compassion (3:30);
• How mindful self-compassion relieved Kristin’s feelings of self-judgement, and the psychology that says we all have the capacity for self-compassion (9:45);
• Peter’s history of self-criticism and his personal practice of self-compassion (17:15);
• The problem with prioritizing self-esteem over self-compassion, and how self-compassion produces a more stable version of self-worth (20:15);
• An argument for self-compassion over self-criticism for optimizing performance (26:15);
• How and when to introduce self-compassion to children (31:45);
• Learning her son had autism—a personal story of how Kristin used mindfulness and self-compassion (36:45);
• Self-compassion for cases of childhood trauma, PTSD, and overcoming a “fear of compassion” (44:00);
• The relationship between self-compassion and physical health (49:30);
• Distinguishing between self-compassion and self-pity, and the three necessary components self-compassion (52:30);
• Why self-criticism comes from a desire to be safe, the circular pattern of self-judgment, and self-compassion as the ultimate motivator (55:45);
• Potential role of a self-compassion practice for addiction and other maladaptive behaviors (58:45);
• Clinical applications and practical uses of self-compassion (1:01:30);
• Why you don’t need to meditate to learn mindfulness and self-compassion (1:04:45);
• Kristin’s personal meditation practice (1:08:40);
• Resources for learning self-compassion (1:11:45); and
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/kristinneff Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.