"I'm tired of feeling stressed out every day." "I can't stand having so little impact, despite caring so much and working so hard." "I just don't have anything left to give." Over years of developing and teaching their renowned Mindful Self-Compassion program, Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer have found MSC to be uniquely helpful for people struggling with the soul-draining depletion of burnout, from health professionals, teachers, and caregivers, to shift workers and entrepreneurs. Each chapter in this engaging book offers an empathic story of someone stretched to their limits and an easily digestible bite of self-compassion, culminating in a simple anti-burnout tool based on MSC practices. Readers learn quick and powerful ways to recharge their batteries, de-stress, and, above all, be kind to themselves--so they can be there for others.
Kristin Neff, PhD, is Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research. She has been recognized as one of the most influential researchers in psychology worldwide. Her books with Christopher Germer include The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout (for the general public) and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program (for professionals). Along with Christopher Germer, Dr. Neff developed the empirically supported Mindful Self-Compassion program and founded the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Her website is https://self-compassion.org. Christopher Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Lecturer on Psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School. His books with Kristin Neff include The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout (for the general public) and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program (for professionals). Dr. Germer is also author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion and coeditor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy. He lectures and leads workshops internationally, and has a small psychotherapy practice in Massachusetts. His website is https://chrisgermer.com.
Introduction 1. When Your Cup Runs Dry: The Causes and Consequences of Burnout 2. Replenishing Ourselves: How Self-Compassion Combats Burnout 3. A Recipe for Resilience: The Ingredients of Self-Compassion 4. It's Not What You Think: Misgivings about Self-Compassion 5. Your Body Knows: The Physiology of Stress and Care 6. Warming Up the Conversation: Tender Acceptance 7. When Self-Compassion Feels Bad: Working with Backdraft 8. Putting Things in Perspective: Mindful Awareness 9. Resistance Is Futile: How Fighting Burnout Makes It Worse 10. Facing the Storm: Working with the Difficult Emotions of Burnout 11. Stopping the Drain: Reducing Empathy Fatigue 12. When Good Isn't Good Enough: Avoiding the Perfectionism Sinkhole 13. Why We Beat Ourselves Up: Understanding the Inner Critic 14. Doing Something about It: Fierce Self-Compassion in Action 15. Drawing a Line in the Sand: Learning How to Say No 16. Providing for Ourselves: What Do I Need? 17. Rediscovering Meaning: What Are My Core Values? 18. Becoming a Wise Inner Coach: Self-Compassionate Motivation 19. Goodwill, Not Good Feelings: Cultivating Loving-Kindness 20. Small Pleasures: Savoring the Good 21. Knowing Our Strengths: The Practice of Self-Appreciation 22. Moving Forward: Becoming a Compassionate Mess Resources Notes Index
"What a helpful book! It is almost like you are sitting with Drs. Neff and Germer and feeling their kindness and support. You learn about the science of burnout, and how to recover and even grow from it. With stories, practical exercises, deep insights, and lots of encouragement, you are guided step by step to real well-being and open-hearted ways to manage the challenges of life."--Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Resilient "When we're pushed beyond our limits, self-compassion is the most overlooked--yet crucial--medicine we have for regaining resilience, wise perspective, and wholehearted engagement with life. Drawing on their experience as global leaders in the field of self-compassion, Drs. Neff and Germer have created an invaluable toolkit filled with powerful, actionable strategies to transform your relationship with stress."--Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance "A 'must read' for anyone seeking support and renewal, this book helps you navigate the high demands of our world with tender-hearted wisdom. Through scientific research, mindful self-compassion practices, and poignant personal examples, Drs. Neff and Germer illuminate a path for meeting burnout with kindness, mindfulness, and shared humanity."--Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Life-
