Self-Compassion Helps You Deal Better With Negative Events

When a multitude of disasters arise, as they tend to do from time to time, why do some patients focus on the negative -- exaggerating their problems and their part in them -- while others deal with their problems more constructively? A new study reveals that it all depends on the amount of compassion a person has for himself or herself.

Researchers conducted five studies to measure the emotional and cognitive processes behind self-compassion (encompassing self-kindness, common humanity and mindful acceptance) and how these people handle the negatives life throws at them, like receiving hurtful feedback from another person or recalling negative experiences.

For one, self-compassionate people reframed their perception of events, enabling them to respond compassionately no matter how badly or well things happened. Moreover, the ability of a patient to possess self-compassion allows them to accept the responsibility for a negative experience and bounce back better from it.

Self-compassion is very important for folks with low self-esteem, and it can protect them from the remnants of negative events better, in some cases, than does self-esteem.

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