Learn why highly empathetic people are happier and more fulfilled, and pick up tips to develop more empathy in your own life!
We all love being around highly empathetic people. We feel they listen to us. We feel they make time for us. We feel they understand us!
But did you know that modern research has shown that empathy isn't just a trait that some possess and others don't? On the contrary, it can be worked on and developed by anybody. And those with more empathy live richer, happier, more fulfilling lives.
So read on to learn how you can develop empathy to enrich your own life and the lives of those around you!
What is human empathy?
There are a constellation of terms like emotional empathy, cognitive empathy, empathic concern, and emotional intelligence that all revolve around the same concept.
Simply put, empathy is the ability to understand and share another person's feelings. When you become more empathetic you can connect more deeply with another person's life. This allows you to be a better friend or family member and leads to lasting, meaningful relationships.
Why you should develop your own empathy
Empathy is a part of human nature. Whether you live in the most modern city or a developing country...in a frozen tundra or an equatorial rainforest....highly empathic people are loved and cherished as integral members of their communities. Why?
Because the human connection they engender can uplift someone else's life, their mental health, and their overall well-being.
In fact, research shows that empathic people make for better managers, co-workers, family members and friends. And in the end, all that good karma comes back to them.
This is why highly empathic people live more fulfilling lives.
How to cultivate empathy
Ok, so you're ready to become as empathetic as Gandhi and live your best life. Good news! Developing empathy is easier than you might think.
Try the following techniques to begin your journey:
Talk to new people
It's easy to feel disconnected from others when you stay isolated in your own bubble. So take initiative and start a conversation with someone from a different background. You'll be amazed at how friendly people are when you are truly open to listening.
Become a good listener
Once you've opened a conversation, the next step is to open your ears. When you talk you only speak of things you already know (or think you know). But when you listen, you can learn something new and truly connect with another soul.
Be willing to change your mind
If you think you already know everything about yourself and others, it can be hard to grow. Instead, recognize that there is a lot in the world that you know very little about. This will open your mind to change and lead to more empathy.
Practice meditation
When you meditate, you relax your mind and let it expand. And in that expanded, relaxed state your true nature becomes more accessible. Then, human values like compassion and empathy naturally bubble up to the surface.
Practice breathing exercises
When stress accumulates in our lives we tend to stay stuck in our own old patterns of thought. But breathing exercises like alternate nostril breathing and abdominal breathing have been shown to reduce stress and calm the mind. This allows for more connection and empathy.
How to be more empathetic and go beyond breathing exercises
You might be surprised to learn that breathing techniques can have a profound effect on your ability to empathize, and your ability to live a happier, healthier life.
And there is one technique that goes beyond breathing to bring more empathy and a long list of other benefits.
Studies conducted by Harvard and Yale showed that practitioners of a technique called SKY Breath Meditation displayed statistically significant increases in social connection and overall well-being, as well as statistically significant decreases in stress, anxiety, and depression.
Here's a list of some more evidence-based benefits of SKY:
- Improved mental clarity and focus
- Deeper sleep
- Healthier blood pressure
- Enhanced immune system function
- Increased life satisfaction
- Reduced impulsivity and addictive behavior
- Increased self-esteem and optimism
If you want to be more empathic and experience the benefits of SKY for yourself, just click the image below for a FREE online intro guided by a live instructor.
You'll get a taste of breathing exercises and meditation from the comfort of your own home, so you can feel their impact for yourself. Take this opportunity to dive into breathwork and meditation for a more empathetic, happier life!
