Cultivating Compassion for Resilience and Wellbeing

Abstract

Global rates of stress and mental health distress have reached all-time highs. Given the scale of the problem, the development and dissemination of stress management strategies ought to be accessible, trainable, and low-cost. Growing evidence indicates that the utilization of compassion-based skills has positive effects on stress reduction, enhanced mental wellbeing, and emotional resilience. In this chapter, the science of compassion will be highlighted and reviewed. This chapter explores the psychological and neurobiological foundations of compassion and how those factors can be trainable motivations and behaviors. The science of compassion demonstrates that people can reduce stress in their lives by engendering the perspective taking, emotion regulation, and relational skills within compassionate behaviors. Given contemporary workplace stressors, the application of compassion to address stress and wellbeing in the workplace is explored.