Search

Self-compassion encompasses the three components of kindness, common humanity and mindfulness, and involves reducing one’s own suffering that can stem from personal inadequacies as well as the desire for one’s own health and well-being. The current investigation uniquely focused on the relevance of self-compassion to postpartum women coping with their changing bodies. Eighteen postpartum women participated in a one-on-one interview at the beginning and end of one month, and maintained journals between the two interviews. Themes emerged within the three components of self-compassion and an additional theme served as a motivational mechanism for taking care of one’s self through positive health behaviours (such as making exercise a priority). Kindness was described as being non-judgemental towards themselves and their bodies, along with having a self-focused moment or mental break. Common humanity was seen as the connection with other new mothers as well as people in general at the personal (interacting wit...