“People have to actively and consciously develop the habit of self-compassion”

Is willpower and self-discipline the keys to better health? No, suggests Dr. Neff, associate professor of human development at the University of Texas at Austin. Instead many of us just need to give ourselves a break and accept our imperfections if we want to improve our overall health. This concept doesn't jive with many doctors and self-help books, many of which suggest willpower and self-discipline is the only way to a more healthful lifestyle, according to a recent blog in the New York Times.


The biggest reason people aren’t more self-compassionate is that we're afraid we’ll become self-indulgent, according to Blogger Tara Parker-Pope, commenting on Neff's research work.

Parker-Pope said, "People who find it easy to be supportive and understanding to others, it turns out, often score surprisingly low on self-compassion tests, berating themselves for perceived failures like being overweight or not exercising."

The February 2011 story said, "research suggests that giving ourselves a break and accepting our imperfections may be the first step toward better health. People who score high on tests of self-compassion have less depression and anxiety, and tend to be happier and more optimistic."