May 2–8 marks the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of practicing empathy.
The pandemic, along with political, economic, and global uncertainties, has taken a toll on our overall wellness. It is more important than ever to practice empathy for others and ourselves. Find tips to develop your empathy and how you can practice this skill with others.
What is empathy?
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand what others are feeling emotionally and mindfully, as well as the ability to see from their point of view. Empathy also lets others know they are not alone in their pain or struggle.
Benefits of practicing empathy
Practicing empathy helps us regulate our emotions, form meaningful connections, and leaves us and others feeling heard and seen. Empathy allows us to think of others and look for ways to help. Whether chatting with a colleague, donating to a local charity, or performing an act of kindness for another, these small deeds can go a long way.
Practicing empathy is an important part of human connection and wellness in the workplace. Luckily, empathy is a skill that you can learn, practice, and develop. Practicing empathy goes further than asking how someone is, it includes active listening and believing and seeks to support and understand different perspectives, even if the perspective is something you disagree with or have not experienced personally.
Tips to practice empathy
Make listening to hear the priority over listening to respond
- Ask others questions to learn more about themselves and their lives to help understand the bigger picture of a situation
- Practice understanding that different opinions and perspectives can both be right, even if you do not agree with another person
- Imagine yourself in another person’s situation to help understand what they could be experiencing
Empathy allows you to see and hear others. It often strengthens shared bonds and lets you become vulnerable with the people in your life. It may even help you to face your own conflict in the future. Empathy creates a safe environment to support others, strengthen bonds, and mutually grow.
CPA Assist provides confidential counselling services and 24/7 crisis support to Alberta and Saskatchewan CPAs, candidates, and their immediate families. To book an appointment through CPA Assist, call 1-855-596-4222 or email cpaforbes@telus.net.