This workshop is offered as part of the annual Conference for APSYP 2019 and is sponsored by B.C. Council for Families. The Alliance for Professionals Serving Young Parents is a provincial group coordinated through the BC Council for Families dedicated to providing staff in BC with family life education and resources. This workshop will introduce Mindful Self-Compassion as a resource for building emotional resiliency while reducing stress and burnout.  Participants will learn core mindful self-compassion skills they can use immediately…

A 1/2 day introduction to the research and skills involve in building inner resiliency. Research has been exploding the last ten years showing a strong link between mindfulness and self-compassion and less negative emotions (anxiety, anger, frustration, stress, depression) and, at the same time, the strong development of more positive emotions (relationship satisfaction, healthier lifestyle behaviours, increased happiness and overall wellbeing.

Mindful Self-Compassion combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. Mindfulness is the first step in emotional healing—being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult thoughts and feelings (such as inadequacy, sadness, anger, confusion) with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to these difficult thoughts and feelings with kindness, sympathy and understanding so that we soothe and comfort ourselves when we’re hurting. Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional wellbeing. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help maintain healthy lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise. Being both mindful and compassionate leads to greater ease and well-being in our daily lives.