Compassion has historically served to enhance the survival of the human species.

Human compassion has been suggested as an integral part of our evolution, by serving to protect vulnerable offspring, and promote co-operative behaviour between people.

But being compassionate toward others is also directly related to our own happiness and sense of well-being in several ways. Let’s examine some of the benefits of being more compassionate, and how to show compassion.

How to Show Compassion

What Makes a Person Compassionate?

To be compassionate is to show that you care. Essentially it’s the ability to feel deeply for another person as they experience the ups and downs associated with life.

What are the Benefits of Being Compassionate?

There are a few proven benefits of both self-compassion and compassion toward others. Those include an increase in happiness, improved medical outcomes, reduced stress, and increased social connectedness. (Source: positivepsychology.com)

How Do You Help a Friend Going Through a Difficult Time?

You can listen with compassion, try finding a suitable time and place to talk to them. Ask about their experience, listen to their issues and respond to their situation gently with compassion.  Your objective isn’t to solve their problems, but simply to hear them out and be there for them.

What to Say to Someone When They’re Stressed

• “How can I help you?”
• “Take it one step at a time”.
• “Your feelings are valid”.
• “You’re not alone”.
• “I’m here if you ever want to talk”.
• “It’s ok to take a break”.
• “You’ve done it before, you can do it again”.

How is Compassion Related to Happiness?

Acts of compassion can uplift others and make them happy. We may not know it, but by uplifting others we are also helping ourselves. Research has shown that happiness spreads, and if the people around us are happy, we will become happier.

Does Compassion Make You Happy?

There was a study done at The University of Oulu in Finland that found greater levels of compassion will lead to:

• Greater well-being.
• More happiness.
• Positive mood and social connections.
• Increase in life satisfaction. 

Why Do I Have No Compassion For Others?

There can be a number of potential reasons someone might lack empathy.

If someone struggles to see themselves in another person’s position, and doesn’t empathize with other people’s feelings, they may have a mental health condition.

Or in some cases, they may have a lack of awareness rather than a true lack of empathy. We generally call that ignorance, and sometimes it can be resolved with education of the subject at hand.

Why Do People Lack Compassion?

There are several potential conditions that may play a role in a lack of empathy such as:

• Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD),
• Anti-social personality disorder.
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD).

How Do You Show Compassion Daily?

Ways to Show Compassion in Everyday Life:

• Be considerate, to friends, family and strangers alike.
• Show affection, communicate in a warm way.
• Show empathy toward others and all living creatures.
• Be selfless, practice acts of kindness.
• Send a meaningful message to a friend or loved one.
• Spread and show unconditional love.

Final Thoughts:

As discussed, compassion is an essential element in our society and it’s even vital to the survival of the human race.

Compassion has the power to increase our coping and healing abilities, and self-compassion is highly beneficial to anyone’s mental health and well-being.

Please show as much compassion to each other as possible, it’s contagious and can only help matters.

Tell me your stories around compassion, how you’ve helped someone, or if you feel as I do that it really helps when dealing with others in everyday life. 

Read More:

Acts of Kindness and Compassion