Empathy or Compassion: Which is Better for Your Health?

Empathy or compassion, which is kinder to the heart? ~Learn the difference and live a healthier life~

Hello, this is John. Have you ever heard of the words "empathy" and "compassion"? In Japanese, they are translated as "sympathy" and "compassion." They both sound similar and like important human emotions. But actually, there is a slight difference between the two, and perhaps,One may be better for our mental and physical health than the other.Hm.

Today, let's gently unravel the difference between "empathy" and "compassion" and how it relates to our mental and physical health!

What is "empathy"?

First, let's look at "empathy." This is a word that is often translated as "sympathy" in Japanese. Simply put,The ability to feel the emotions and experiences of others as if they were your ownYou read it right!

For example, have you ever had an experience like this?

• When my friend looks sad, I feel sad too.
• When I see the protagonist of a movie overcome difficulties and rejoice, my heart warms and I feel happy too.

This is empathy. It is sometimes expressed as "putting yourself in someone else's shoes." It is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understand what they are feeling.

The benefits of empathy:

• It helps to deepen the bond between people as it allows you to understand the other person's feelings deeply.
• It makes it easier to build trust.
• Communication will be smoother.

Empathy Note:

• If you feel the emotions of others too strongly, especially negative emotions (sadness, anger, anxiety, etc.), you may be dragged down by them yourself and become mentally exhausted."Compassion fatigue"It's a state where you empathize too much with someone else's suffering, and it makes you feel bad for yourself. It's like a wet sponge absorbing too much water.

So what about "compassion"?

Next, let's talk about "compassion." This is a word that is often translated as "thoughtfulness" or "mercy." Compassion is,It involves recognizing the suffering and difficulties of others, feeling a warm-hearted desire to alleviate them, wanting to help, and the willingness to actually take action..

While empathy focuses on "feeling the other person's feelings," compassion goes a step further and involves the desire to take concrete action, such as "I want to do something for that person!"

The benefits of compassion:

• It is said that acting out of a desire to help others brings positive emotions (such as warmth, satisfaction, and happiness) not only to the other person but also to yourself.
• Research has shown that compassion is less emotionally draining than empathy, and instead gives you energy. It may feel like a warm spring welling up inside of you.

Empathy and compassion, here's the difference!

Have you started to see the difference between the two? Let's summarize it a bit.

Empathy: "Oh, I know how you feel..." (emotional mirror, sharing is key)

• Treat others’ feelings as if they were your ownfeelこと.
• Example: When a friend fails at work and feels depressed, you feel the same way.

Compassion: "That's tough. Is there anything I can do for you?" (A warm heart that encourages action)

• I want to understand the suffering of others and ease it.Wishing and trying to actこと.
• Example: If a friend has failed at work and is feeling down, you could say, "Are you okay? I'll listen," or suggest something to help them cheer up.

Empathy can be the gateway to compassion, but it does not necessarily lead to compassion. Even if you empathize with the suffering of others, you may also feel pain and be unable to move forward. Compassion is the power to take a positive step and ask yourself, "So, what should I do?" based on the information you sense through empathy.

Which is better for our minds and bodies?

Now, let's take a closer look at that point I made at the beginning, where I said one might be better for your health than the other.

Experts believe that if you feel too strongly about empathy, it can lead to the "compassion fatigue" I mentioned earlier, or even worse."Burnout"It has been pointed out that the risk of burnout may increase. Burnout is a state in which mental and physical energy is depleted and one becomes lethargic. Continuing to feel the pain of others consumes more energy than you might imagine.

On the other hand,Compassion has a positive effect on our minds and bodiesIt is considered.

Compassion comes from a positive motivation to help others, and actually taking action can give you a sense of accomplishment and self-affirmation. Research shows that practicing compassion has many benefits, including:

• Reduces stress levels
• Increase your sense of well-being
• Resilience (the ability to bounce back from difficulties, mental flexibility)Cultivate
• It has also been suggested that it may boost immune function.

It's wonderful to feel fulfilled by doing something for someone else. This seems to be related to the workings of the brain. It has been discovered that different parts of the brain are activated when you feel pain through empathy and when you feel warmth through compassion. Compassion activates areas of the brain related to love and reward, making it easier to generate positive emotions.

How can you use it in your daily life? Tips for using it wisely

Both empathy and compassion are important in human relationships. Neither is necessarily good or bad. What is important is to understand the two and use them wisely and in balance.

1. First, empathize with the other person's feelings:
   Trying to understand what the other person is feeling is the basis of communication. First, accept the other person's feelings by saying things like, "That must have been hard," or "That must have been difficult."
2. Next, switch to compassion: Think about what you can do:
   When you sense someone's suffering, instead of getting engulfed in it, take a step back and think, "What can I do for this person?" Even if it's difficult to take concrete action, just telling them, "I care about you," can be a great source of support. It's also important to support them as much as you can without forcing yourself.
3. And don't forget to practice self-compassion!:
   This may be the most important thing! It is just as important, if not more so, to be kind to yourself as it is to be kind to others.Self-compassion means showing yourself kindness and understanding when you are in a difficult situation, rather than criticizing or blaming yourself.When you feel tired or fail, tell yourself, "You did a good job," or "It's okay, everyone experiences this." This will help prevent compassion fatigue and foster compassion for others.

In particular, for those who come into contact with other people's suffering and difficulties on a daily basis, such as medical professionals, caregivers, teachers, and counselors, it is said that training to consciously cultivate not only empathy but also compassion can help prevent burnout.

John's words

Empathy and compassion are both wonderful mental functions that enrich human relationships. If we can understand others deeply with empathy, but not be too consumed by it, and switch to compassion and act warmly, I think we can spend each day with a kinder heart. I want to develop the power of compassion to cherish both myself and others, even if it's just a little at a time.

This article is based on the following original articles and is summarized from the author's perspective:
Empathy & Compassion Are Not The Same—Here's The Key
Difference