In the we world we live in today, we could all use some empathy toward one another. Empathy is the ability we have as humans to feel for another, to try and look at the world from another person’s perspective. Presently, it feels we are living in a world where we are divided and not taking the time to create spaces for connections and dialogue. When empathy is lacking so is kindness, love, understanding, and forgiveness. In this article, we will look at several practical tips for improving empathy.
Empathy can be divided into 3 categories, namely affective, somatic, and cognitive. Affective empathy is a person’s ability to respond to what others might be experiencing appropriately. This can mean knowing what to say to someone who is grieving.
Somatic empathy is when a person can feel what another person is feeling. They do not need to have gone through a similar experience, they can embody what others feel in different situations and therefore can behave accordingly.
Cognitive empathy on the other hand is being able to understand why people respond the way they do or why people feel the way they do about certain situations. They do not necessarily have to agree with the responses, but they understand.
There are many ways people can improve their ability to be empathetic toward others. Realizing how important empathy is in our world and our day-to-day relationships and connections is essential.
Without empathy, it can be difficult to build long-lasting relationships or partnerships. When people become more empathetic, we also have a kinder world, one that encourages pro-social behavior and unity rather than mistrust and destruction.
Living in a world without empathy means that we resign ourselves to indifference with the suffering of others. This gives rise to feelings of superiority, discrimination, and hate, which can have devastating consequences.
The question that arises is: Can someone be taught to be more empathetic? Is it a case of you either are or you aren’t? Just like most things in life, empathy can be taught and improved if one is willing. It takes a great deal of self-awareness and willingness to learn. Below are some ways that can aid people in becoming more aware of other people’s feelings, experiences, and perspectives.
6 Tips for Improving Empathy
If you are looking for advice on improving empathy, here are six ways you can become a more empathetic person:
Exposure
Much of empathy is viewing life from the lenses of others. Sometimes we can get wrapped up in our ways and think that it is the only way to live. When we expose ourselves to diverse human experiences, we get to see how others live and how they got to be who they are.
In that way, we can be more understanding and accommodating of those different from us. Exposure could be through traveling, reading literature from other parts of the world, and watching movies, films, or documentaries. A person’s understanding of different cultures is broadened when they live a curious life.
Active Listening
Active listening is the art of paying attention and listening to hear the person speaking, reserve judgment, and aim to understand another point of view. When people notice that they are being listened to, they are more inclined to share openly, even difficult, and controversial subjects. In this way, we learn from one another.
Practice empathy toward self
We cannot give what we do not have. There is a famous saying that says, “Physician, heal thy self.” When we are used to showing empathy toward ourselves and walking through life with a sense of self-compassion, we are more able to direct it to others.
Live a curious life
A curious life is willing to learn and open to new ideas, new experiences, and new adventures. Being curious means you ask a lot of questions to understand others and the world around them. Asking open-ended questions allows others to share their feelings, emotions, and experiences.
From this you gain insight into the lives of others and foster empathy. Curious people are more likely to travel outside their culture, read, and experience art from those different from them. Curiosity is the ability to say, I do not know it all and hence, I am open to learning and relearning.
Examine biases
Biases are often around how we have been taught to see others and how we are to experience them. We all have biases. To be more empathetic toward those we are biased toward, we need to be honest about those biases and be open to examining them. This way we are more able to be empathetic toward those we were or still are biased toward.
Distinguish between understanding and condoning
Empathy does not require us to agree or condone the actions of another. It simply means we can validate the emotions and experiences of others. This is empathy. When we do this, we let others know that we understand and accept them regardless. This is deeply validating.
We can assist
Empathy is recognized as one of those skills we all need as we navigate these challenging times. If you need more information or help in developing your ability to be more empathetic, consider doing some counseling to delve into heart issues. We would be happy to help you in your journey. Reach out to our offices today. We have dedicated therapists who will journey with you.
