Mindfulness and self-compassion as tools in health behavior change: An evaluation of a workplace intervention pilot study

While interventions teaching general mindfulness and self-compassion have been effective in promoting health and participation in health behaviors, more research is needed to evaluate the effect of targeted interventions that teach participants to apply mindfulness and self-compassion to health behaviors. A sample of 24 university employees participated in a 10-week health behavior change intervention that featured psychoeducation in mindful and self-compassionate nutrition, exercise, and stress management and engagement in guided group exercise. The intervention produced significant improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, mindful health behaviors, and some health behaviors, well-being measures, and some body composition and physical fitness measures. This program had high satisfaction and low attrition rates. These findings provide initial evidence that targeted mindfulness and self-compassion may be useful components of health behavior change interventions.