Empathy means understanding the emotions of others by walking into their shoes. To realize what someone is going through is not that easy; we can sympathize with anybody, but we empathize only with those we love unconditionally and care for extremely.
There are two types of empathies
Affective empathy
It is the type of empathy when we understand others’ emotions and react accordingly in the same or related emotion. For instance, when someone closely related to you is upset, it would affect your mood, and you would feel anxious at that moment.
Cognitive empathy
Cognitive empathy is when you can relate to someone by putting yourself in their perspective. For instance, if your friend has a phobia of water, you understand them and make them comfortable when such a situation arises.
Both the empathies are equally important at their place. If you feel the same way your friend feels about something, it will help them heal by considering that their emotion is valid. And cognitive empathy would help you grow a strong bond with the person you empathize with.
There are various courses related to NLP certification that helps you look at the various situations with different perspectives and develop the understanding for people’s emotions.
Ways to become more empathetic
Empathy is the way to come closer to your loved ones and express how much you care for them, and feel their pain.
Work on self-compassion
Self-compassion means to treat yourself with the same love you shower on others when they need it. Firstly, you need to consider your pain and then think about someone you love feeling the same pain. Then, you need to think about compassion and ways to empathize with your friend. It would help you understand the difference between the amount of kindness you spare for others and yourself.
The quote, “Charity begins at home,” would be the best fit in this situation. If you do not feel compassion for yourself, how you would give it to others. Try loving yourself a little bit more than you love others. It will help you make a better empathetic person.
Make empathy a habit of your mind
Empathy is not always about feeling upset about someone’s situation or spending a day when your loved one is feeling lonely or something. It is in the small things or efforts you make for others. For instance, on your way home, you can buy your mother’s favorite dish, stop the lift for someone who is running late, and help someone by giving them a car ride on a rainy day, and so on.
These little acts you make are a sign that you are becoming empathetic. The happiness you feel after helping someone is unexplainable, and it only grows, never depletes.
Polite disagreements
One of the most challenging exercises in the whole process is to have a conversation with someone about the topic you disagree with. The easiest way to carry on this exercise is by listening to the other person’s views patiently and then explaining your view and why you think that way. Do not force yourself to prove yourself right or other people wrong.
The polite disagreements prove that there are better humanly ways to accept the other’s opinions. The disagreements should not always end in hating or disliking each other. Also, keep in mind that you are practicing this to develop empathy and not change their minds. It would develop the feeling of understanding in both of you, and you can feel the bond grow even stronger, agreeing to each other’s disagreements.
Using technology in the right way
Most of our time is spent on social media only, but we do nothing productive even after scrolling for hours. We can use this time to develop empathy while using the phone. Instead of commenting on someone’s post, we should call them or text them personally if they feel low or congratulate them if they have achieved something. It helps us come closer with our friends and family.
Also, we can analyze our emotions by observing how we actually feel by seeing something on the internet. This introspection would help us know ourselves better than anything.
Appreciating when others are empathetic
The way we appreciate someone’s looks or complement their new car, we should also appreciate someone for their empathetic behavior. It encourages them to carry out the same behavior and empathize even more. It also develops empathy inside us as we try to follow in their footsteps.
Why is it important to develop empathy for your well-being
Being empathetic develops the feeling of understanding in you. You understand the mindset of others and the reason for their particular behavior instead of blaming them for their actions. Your mere act of understanding would help make your relationships better and your life a little less stressed. It also reduces your aggression if you are short-tempered and helps you control it.
Empathy can act as a double-edged sword. If it makes you happy, it can be a reason for your increased anxiety. You become more prone to sadness if your loved ones are upset.
With the help of NLP Trainer, you can always learn to control your emotions if you ever feel overwhelmed in any situation. The professionals help you differentiate among the levels you need to feel any emotion.