Empathy refers to the capability of understanding the emotions and situations of others. Empathy is essential for sustainable relationships in different sectors of life. It gives us the opportunity to behave in the appropriate way. Without empathy an individual will never be able to build proper communication skills. Though some people are by birth more empathetic than others, empathy can be learned as well. 

Today we will learn how to develop empathy within ourselves:

• Talk with other people and mix with them. 
• Try to understand the intention of others behind their actions. 
• Value the feedback of others and work accordingly. 
• Explore different environments rather than staying in a particular one.
• Try to learn about different cultures, customs and their values. 
• Learn to ask appropriate questions instead of intimidating questions. 
• Eliminate prejudice and avoid gross generalization about anybody/anything. 
• Listen carefully to others and try to understand what they mean. 
• Think positively to avoid negative imagination about something. 
• Overcome biases toward others by being conscious while thinking. 
• Be attentive to self-talk and talk as if someone is listening to it. 
• Forbid one self to overreact to anything immediately, going slow is the best. 

Empathy can be the most valuable asset for leading a happy and less conflictive life. All of us should try to cultivate it within ourselves.

Written by
Saiyeda Asea Asha
Family and Child Psychologist