The Art of Listening: Practising Empathy

• Reducing isolation and loneliness
   Empathy helps individuals feel less alone in their struggles by validating their emotions and experiences. Feeling heard and understood can help someone feels less isolated and opens up a safe space to connect with others. 
• Enhances self-compassion
  Empathy is not merely about supporting others but it also extends to our own self. When we give the same care towards ourselves as how we would support a friend who is struggling, it enhances self-compassion and allows us to be kinder to our inner voices.
• Strengthen social relationships
    Empathy lies at the heart of a healthy and thriving relationship. By understanding and validating the feelings of others, it can help to build trust, enhance communication and the ability to resolve conflict effectively which in turn, strengthens relationship.

Yes, you can. 

Extending empathy shows how much you care and want to support another individual when they are going through a tough time. But it can also get to a point where it may be too overwhelming for you and lead to burnout. For example, being a caregiver can take an emotional and physical toll on an individual when they do not have the coping resources or support system to help them through. 

That’s why it’s essential to balance empathy with self-care. Taking time to rest, recharge, and set healthy boundaries allows you to continue offering support to others without neglecting your own needs.

What are some of the strategies to start practicing empathy in our communication? 

• Active Listening
  Active listening means giving your full attention and showing that you are present and genuinely interested in what the other person has to say. Some of the tips that you can try: 

• Choose a quiet, comfortable space. If possible, find a quiet space and an environment to talk that is conducive for you and the other individual. 
• Check-in with yourself first. Ensure that you are in the right headspace to talk. If not, gently let the person know that you will reach out to them at a later time in the day. For example: “I really want to be present for this conversation. Can we talk a little later today when I can give you my full attention?”

• Validating Feelings
  Validation is acknowledging someone’s feelings and experiences as real and understandable even if you don’t fully agree or relate to their experience. 
    

• Non-verbal communication
  Empathy isn’t just about what you say, it is also in how you show up. Your non-verbal communication like your body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and even silence can also convey empathy. Non-verbal cues can help others to feel safe and heard.  Example:
   
  • Sitting calmly and facing the person while making eye contact. 
  • Nodding while they speak 
  • Using a gentle tone 
  • Avoiding distracted behaviours (checking your phone, yawning, fidgeting)
     

• Calm responses
  Responding with calmness helps to regulate the emotional tone of the conversation, especially when you are dealing with heavy emotions and topics. It shows that you are grounded and that you are able to hold space for the person.
  
  
  
  Instead of reacting with judgement or defensiveness, say:

• Clarifying questions
  These are gentle follow-up questions that show you’re listening and want to understand better, not assume or jump to conclusions. Here are a few examples: