Self-Indulgence Can Promote Post-Pandemic Health

As Canadians begin to emerge from the pandemic, trends suggest that many people have gained weight, consumed too much alcohol, been more sedentary, or suffered from anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

More than 40% of Canadians reported unintentional weight gain during the pandemic*, according to Dalhousie University, and about 25% of those who drink alcohol have increased their consumption*, according to Statistics Canada. Clinically significant sleep problems increased by 15%*, according to a University of Ottawa study, and almost half of Canadians reported increased stress, anxiety, depression, or loneliness*, says the Public Health Agency of Canada.

According to Psychology Today, being kind to yourself in difficult times and accepting your own weaknesses, rather than being critical of yourself and being hard on yourself, is an effective way to regain a sense of well-being. and achievement*. If you've let yourself go during this interminable pandemic, the wisdom of self-compassion can be wonderfully helpful in taking gradual steps to regain health and wellness as you adjust to life after the pandemic.

Here are some ways self-compassion can promote better physical and mental health:

1. Reduce stress and promote healthy behaviors. Researchers have found that people who adopt a caring attitude towards and accept what they perceive as difficulties and failures reduce their stress and adopt healthier behaviors than those who remain self-critical*, according to a study Health Psychology study.


2. Strengthen motivation to exercise. A University of Alberta study found that women who are self-compassionate are more motivated to exercise and perform better, while those who are self-critical view exercise as an obligation.


3. Improve diabetes self-management. Self-kindness, rather than harsh criticism or judgment, can help patients with diabetes take better care of themselves, better control their blood sugar levels, and improve their outcomes when blood sugar levels drop. Patients may also better adhere to medication, diet, and exercise prescriptions*, according to a Diabetes Spectrum report.


4. Resume good eating habits. A study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that adopting caring and indulgent attitudes about food helps women stay on track to achieve their healthy eating goals, rather than giving up after an episode of excessive or unhealthy food consumption*. Researchers have found that people who tend to feel guilty after eating or who follow an overly restrictive diet are self-critical and often overeat after a swerve, while a more caring attitude after eating foods unhealthy foods reduces guilt, distress, and the need to seek comfort in food*.


5. Counter depression. People with chronic depression who regularly practiced mindful self-compassion improved their symptoms of depression,* according to a 2020 Journal of Affective Disorders study. for at least six months after learning self-compassion techniques.


6. Restore the quality of sleep. Seniors who are self-indulgent suffer fewer sleep disturbances and have better sleep quality*, according to a study by Geriatric Nursing.


7. Building resilience. According to a Harvard Medical School study, self-compassion builds resilience by tempering people's reactions to negative events related to failure or loss*. People who are kind to themselves have less extreme reactions, fewer negative emotions, more constructive thoughts, and a greater ability to put their problems into perspective while acknowledging their own responsibility*.