Self-Compassion Guidebook for Expectant Mothers


Book Description

Dear expecting mother, Take a moment to embrace yourself and grant yourself the kindness you deserve. In this empowering guidebook, I invite you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-love. As you navigate the transformative journey of motherhood, may this guidebook be your companion, offering support and encouragement along the way. Remember your inherent worthiness and strength. Embrace yourself with love and kindness, knowing that you are deserving of all the blessings that await you on this sacred path. With warmth and compassion- S.O.




Fierce Self-Compassion


Book Description

The author of Self-Compassion follows up her groundbreaking book with new ideas that expand our notion of self-kindness and its capacity to transform our lives, showing women how to balance tender self-acceptance with fierce action to claim their power and change the world. Kristin Neff changed how we talk about self-care with her enormously popular first book, Self-Compassion. Now, ten years and many studies later, she expands her body of work to explore a brand-new take on self-compassion. Although kindness and self-acceptance allow us to be with ourselves as we are, in all our glorious imperfection, the desire to alleviate suffering at the heart of this mindset isn't always gentle, sometimes it's fierce. We must also act courageously in order to protect ourselves from harm and injustice, say no to others so we can meet our own needs, and motivate necessary change in ourselves and society. Gender roles demand that women be soft and nurturing, not angry or powerful. But like yin and yang, the energies of fierce and tender self-compassion must be balanced for wholeness and wellbeing. Drawing on a wealth of research, her personal life story and empirically supported practices, Neff demonstrates how women can use fierce and tender self-compassion to succeed in the workplace, engage in caregiving without burning out, be authentic in relationships, and end the silence around sexual harassment and abuse. Most women intuitively recognize fierceness as part of their true nature, but have been discouraged from developing it. Women must reclaim their power in order to create a healthier society and find lasting happiness. In this wise, caring, and enlightening book, Neff shows women how to reclaim balance within themselves, so they can help restore balance in the world.




Self-Compassion


Book Description

Kristin Neff, Ph.D., says that it’s time to “stop beating yourself up and leave insecurity behind.” Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind offers expert advice on how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest potential and a more contented, fulfilled life. More and more, psychologists are turning away from an emphasis on self-esteem and moving toward self-compassion in the treatment of their patients—and Dr. Neff’s extraordinary book offers exercises and action plans for dealing with every emotionally debilitating struggle, be it parenting, weight loss, or any of the numerous trials of everyday living.




Self-Care During Pregnancy


Book Description

The journey of pregnancy is a transformative and awe-inspiring experience, filled with anticipation, joy, and a range of emotions. It is a time when your body undergoes remarkable changes, and your focus shifts towards nurturing and caring for the life growing within you. Amidst this beautiful journey, it is crucial to remember that self-care plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of both you and your baby. In this book on self-care during pregnancy, we will explore the significance of nurturing your physical, emotional, and mental health as an expectant parent. It is an invitation to prioritize you amidst the myriad of preparations and responsibilities that come with pregnancy. By embracing self-care, you not only enhance your own well-being but also create a nurturing environment for your growing baby. We will delve into the unique challenges and demands of the pregnancy period, acknowledging the physical and emotional changes that you may experience. By understanding and embracing these changes, you can cultivate a positive mindset and build resilience as you navigate this transformative journey. Throughout this book, we will challenge societal misconceptions about self-care during pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, self-care is not a luxury or a selfish act. It is an essential aspect of nurturing your well-being and promoting a healthy pregnancy. By dispelling guilt and societal pressures, we will empower you to prioritize self-care without hesitation or judgment. Each chapter will provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and self-care practices tailored to the different dimensions of your well-being. From nourishing your physical body with proper nutrition and exercise to nurturing your emotional health and building a supportive network, we will cover a wide range of topics to support you holistically during this transformative time. Moreover, this book recognizes that self-care knows no gender boundaries. It acknowledges the importance of self-care for both expectant mothers and fathers, embracing the diversity of experiences and needs during pregnancy. It is a space for all individuals involved in the journey of parenthood to explore and cultivate self-care practices that nurture their well-being. As we embark on this journey together, let us celebrate the growth and transformation that self-care brings. It is an invitation to prioritize yourself, cultivate self-compassion, and embrace the joy and challenges that come with pregnancy. May this book serve as a guide, providing you with the tools, insights, and inspiration to embrace self-care fully and create a nurturing foundation for both you and your little one. Remember, you are not alone on this path. Countless mothers and fathers have walked this journey before you, and your experiences and stories are unique and valuable. Embrace self-care as a lifelong practice, and let it be a source of strength, resilience, and joy as you navigate the beautiful complexities of pregnancy and parenthood.




What No One Tells You


Book Description

Your guide to the emotions of pregnancy and early motherhood, from two of America’s top reproductive psychiatrists. When you are pregnant, you get plenty of advice about your growing body and developing baby. Yet so much about motherhood happens in your head. What everyone really wants to know: Is this normal? -Even after months of trying, is it normal to panic after finding out you’re pregnant? -Is it normal not to feel love at first sight for your baby? -Is it normal to fight with your parents and partner? -Is it normal to feel like a breastfeeding failure? -Is it normal to be zonked by “mommy brain?” In What No One Tells You, two of America’s top reproductive psychiatrists reassure you that the answer is yes. With thirty years of combined experience counseling new and expectant mothers, they provide a psychological and hormonal backstory to the complicated emotions that women experience, and show why it’s natural for “matrescence”—the birth of a mother—to be as stressful and transformative a period as adolescence. Here, finally, is the first-ever practical guide to help new mothers feel less guilt and more self-esteem, less isolation and more kinship, less resentment and more intimacy, less exhaustion and more pleasure, and learn other tips to navigate the ups and downs of this exciting, demanding time




Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program


Book Description

This is the authoritative guide to conducting the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, which provides powerful tools for coping with life challenges and enhancing emotional well-being. MSC codevelopers Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff review relevant theory and research and describe the program's unique pedagogy. Readers are taken step by step through facilitating each of the eight sessions and the accompanying full-day retreat. Detailed vignettes illustrate not only how to teach the course's didactic and experiential content, but also how to engage with participants, manage group processes, and overcome common obstacles. The final section of the book describes how to integrate self-compassion into psychotherapy. Purchasers get access to a companion website with downloadable audio recordings of the guided meditations. Note: This book is not intended to replace formal training for teaching the MSC program. See also two related resources for MSC participants and general readers, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, and The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer.




The Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science


Book Description

How do we define compassion? Is it an emotional state, a motivation, a dispositional trait, or a cultivated attitude? How does it compare to altruism and empathy? Chapters in this Handbook present critical scientific evidence about compassion in numerous conceptions. All of these approaches to thinking about compassion are valid and contribute importantly to understanding how we respond to others who are suffering. Covering multiple levels of our lives and self-concept, from the individual, to the group, to the organization and culture, The Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science gathers evidence and models of compassion that treat the subject of compassion science with careful scientific scrutiny and concern. It explores the motivators of compassion, the effect on physiology, the co-occurrence of wellbeing, and compassion training interventions. Sectioned by thematic approaches, it pulls together basic and clinical research ranging across neurobiological, developmental, evolutionary, social, clinical, and applied areas in psychology such as business and education. In this sense, it comprises one of the first multidisciplinary and systematic approaches to examining compassion from multiple perspectives and frames of reference. With contributions from well-established scholars as well as young rising stars in the field, this Handbook bridges a wide variety of diverse perspectives, research methodologies, and theory, and provides a foundation for this new and rapidly growing field. It should be of great value to the new generation of basic and applied researchers examining compassion, and serve as a catalyst for academic researchers and students to support and develop the modern world.




Baby Bump Book


Book Description

Baby Bump Book: Nurture Your Bump: Self-Care for Pregnant Women is a thoughtful, comprehensive guide designed to support expectant mothers. Written with compassion and expertise, this book provides valuable insights and practical advice to help pregnant women prioritize their health and foster a positive and healthy pregnancy experience. When a woman discovers her baby bump, she embarks on an amazing journey of self-discovery and transformation. This book celebrates this journey and provides guidance on how to care for your body and mind during this precious time. Through gentle encouragement and empowering wisdom, expectant mothers will discover self-care practices that promote physical health, emotional balance, and spiritual well-being. Nurture Your Bump focuses on holistic health and covers a wide range of topics important to self-care during pregnancy. From diet and exercise to stress management and relaxation techniques, each chapter provides practical tips and gentle reminders to help pregnant women prioritize their health and well-being. This book addresses not only physical health but also the emotional and spiritual aspects of pregnancy, exploring topics such as body image, self-love, and connecting with your unborn child. Through affirmations, journaling prompts, and mindfulness exercises, expectant mothers will learn how to cultivate deep self-awareness and connection during pregnancy. Written with warmth and compassion, Nurture Your Bump is more than just a pregnancy guide, it's a companion for expectant mothers, offering support, encouragement and inspiration every step of the way. Whether you're experiencing the joys and challenges of pregnancy for the first time or embarking on this journey again, this book is an invaluable resource for caring for your belly and enjoying the miracle of motherhood.




The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook


Book Description

Are you kinder to others than you are to yourself? More than a thousand research studies show the benefits of being a supportive friend to yourself, especially in times of need. This science-based workbook offers a step-by-step approach to breaking free of harsh self-judgments and impossible standards in order to cultivate emotional well-being. In a convenient large-size format, the book is based on the authors' groundbreaking eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, which has helped tens of thousands of people worldwide. It is packed with guided meditations (with audio downloads); informal practices to do anytime, anywhere; exercises; and vivid stories of people using the techniques to address relationship stress, weight and body image issues, health concerns, anxiety, and other common problems. The seeds of self-compassion already lie within you--learn how you can uncover this powerful inner resource and transform your life. See also Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program, by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff, a thorough overview of conducting MSC (for professionals), and The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer, which delves into mindful self-compassion and shares moving stories of how it can change lives.




Handbook of Self-Compassion


Book Description

This handbook examines contemporary issues in self-compassion science and practice. It describes advances in the conceptualization and measurement of self-compassion as well as current evidence from cross-sectional and experimental research. The volume addresses the foundational issues of self-compassion, including its relationship to self-esteem and mindfulness. In addition, it considers the developmental origins of self-compassion and its relevance across the life course, including among adolescents and older adults. The handbook explores the role of self-compassion in promoting well-being and resilience and addresses new frontiers in self-compassion research, such as the neural underpinnings and psychophysiology of compassionate self-regulation Key areas of coverage include: The meaning of self-compassion for gender and sexuality minority groups. The cultivation of self-compassion among young people. The use of interventions to promote self-compassion. The role of compassion-based interventions in clinical contexts. Important insights for using self-compassion-based interventions in practice. The Handbook of Self Compassion is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other practitioners in psychology, complementary and alternative medicine, and social work as well as all interrelated research disciplines and clinical practices.