Why is Empathy Good For Us?

Oftentimes with the heavy influence of media on our generation, we are taught from a very young age a skewed and more judgemental view of others. Incorporating a focus on empathy is a way we can counteract this.

“Empathy in its simplest form is to have sense and awareness of the emotions of other people”

There are three types of empathy:

1. Cognitive Empathy

   1. Often times called “perspective talking”

   2. Our ability to identify and understand other’s emotions

   3. This emphasizes the idea that empathy is just as much thought as it is emotion

   4. The ability to put yourself in another’s shoes excluding the actual act of feeling the other’s emotions

2. Emotional Empathy

   1. Often times called “emotional contagion”

   2. The act of physically and emotionally feeling what the other person is experiencing

   3. This specifically refers to responding to others effectively in times of distress

   4. This is essential in caring professions such as the medical field, social workers, and teachers

3. Compassionate Empathy

   1. This is the final step often detailed as the way we can go past understanding and caring for a person, but actually helping another

   2. You can use the insight you have gathered from the other two categories to help support others in challenging situations

The Benefits of Being Empathetic:

1. You can better understand the needs of partners, colleagues, and friends and thus build stronger social connections

2. These social connections are proven to be optimal for the wellbeing of an individual. This helps us feel loved, supported, and that we belong

3. Empathy helps improve leadership skills by allowing effective communication with others and work in a team efficiently

Ways to Improve Your Empathy:

1. Listen attentively to allow yourself to mentally and emotionally open up and connect with another

2. Ask thoughtful questions with the intent to understand how the other person is feeling

3. Be aware of your biases to control your own evading thoughts and opinions of others that may get in the way of an empathetic mindset

4. Socialize and work with people from all backgrounds and demographics to further your understanding and enhance a non judgemental mindset