It is the mechanism that allows people to understand and relate to others.
Empathy is a necessary precursor to intimacy,trust, and belonging.
It is also the feeling that makes it difficult to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
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At a Glance
Empathy is vital for the health and longevity of relationships.
Without it, we can’t build the understanding we need to forge close, supportive connections.
Empathy canstrengthen relationshipsby:
Empathy can even affect therapy.
Research has shown that empathy can lead to strongertherapeutic relationshipsassociated with better treatment outcomes.
Practicing the key components of empathy can help you better understand and interact with people in your life.
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It gets more complicated when conversations happen amidst distractions and with less apparent emotional weight.
Empathy begins when you set the intention of listening for emotion.
Make an effort to notice the signals people are giving that can indicate what they are feeling.
Your ownemotionscan pose a significant barrier when noticing what others are feeling.
Making an effort to actively listen can help strengthen your emotional understanding and empathy.
Build Empathy By Making Yourself Vulnerable
Empathic connections are a two-way street.
Being vulnerablestrengthens your own empathy in two ways.
You also gain more comfort navigating tough emotions in conversations with others.
Empathy Compels Help and Action
If empathy rests at sharing innegative emotion, happiness can suffer.
Feeling someone elses pain can enhance asense of belonging.
It also helps people to feel understood.
However, this alone doesnt fully maximize the opportunity to improve well-being.
More Empathy-Building Strategies
Improve your empathy by practicing the following on a regular basis.
Remember that empathy is a skill you might build with time and practice.
The follow-through on empathy means initiating positive change for others.
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