empathy Archives

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12.22.22 | Sage Advice

The Benefits Of Reading A Book

There’s no better time to snuggle up next to a fireplace and pick up a favorite book or one that’s been on your radar for a while than winter. For many, reading a book is one of life’s greatest comforts, but it can also be an escape from the turbulence of everyday life. From loneliness and stress to relationship issues, today we’re exploring how reading impacts our mental health and well-being.

A 2013 study conducted by the Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy journal found that patients with mild depression saw improvements in mood, behavior and other depressive symptoms after reading. Another study published by The New School for Social Research discovered that those who read a fiction book experienced an improved Theory of Mind, which is our ability to empathize and understand others’ views and beliefs.

Because of the wealth of benefits that comes with reading, bibliotherapy – a therapeutic approach using books and other forms of literature – is becoming progressively utilized. Dr. Paula Byrne, an author and founder of ReLit, is one of many running workshops in schools, prisons and halfway houses.

Byrne states that bibliotherapy isn’t meant to replace medicine; instead, it’s used to complement it. Literature has the power to transport the reader to different places. It can relax, calm, excite or humor them. And while self-help books, relatable non-fiction and mood-boosting fiction books all make for amazing options, Byrnes finds that poetry does wonders for entering a different headspace.

The bottom line is that reading contributes to a vibrant life. And the best part about it is that there’s a book for everyone. Explore our book recommendations and essential Chicago book list, or visit your local library or bookstore to discover something new today!

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10.13.22 | Sage Advice

How to Produce More Fruitful Conversations

There’s no better way to pour out emotions, build relationships or immerse yourself in new points of view than by simply starting a conversation. But, whether you’re engaging with someone you already know or a stranger, it can be just as difficult to maneuver the discussion as it is fruitful. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to ensure a rewarding conversation without stress and anxiety.

Sometimes it’s challenging to push a conversation beyond the surface, but discovering the ‘why’ behind a perspective can make it easier to relate to someone and find connections of your own. Propel the conversation further by discussing all sides or scenarios of a point. Especially if someone has a different viewpoint than you, it’s crucial to hear the value of all sides to open opportunities and create a shared value in the conversation.

However, even with the frustration that sometimes comes with engaging with people who think differently than you, research shows that it’s all worth it. Decision-making platform Cloverpop found that teams that were diverse in age, geography and gender made better decisions 29% more often than all-male teams and 14% more than all-female teams.

Conversations involving people of different ages, geographies, histories and cultures all make for more well-rounded, beneficial experiences. Without having discussions with diverse groups, we limit ourselves to only what we know and feel. But not every conversation needs to be had in a group.

Even though they often offer more rewarding conversations, groups aren’t always the best option for some conversations. Intimate one-on-one chats provide more comfort for those needing to pick a brain or share emotions, while groups function better for complex discussions.

Conversations with others are complicated. Taming that complexity and learning how to design your conversation around empathy and interest will leave you with not only a new perspective but a rewarding experience.

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11.04.21 | Sage Advice

Practicing Empathy: How it Can Create a More Vibrant World

Empathy is a universal tool for understanding. By definition, it’s a way of emotionally recognizing and validating what someone else is feeling. At Sage Collective, we approach all of our work with empathy, and believe that with practice, exhibiting empathy improves communication, heightens creativity and enhances appreciation.

What the Science Says

Empathy has always been an essential skill for communication and understanding. However, it’s more important now than ever, in light of the enormous levels of stress many confront today. Displaying empathy serves as an antidote for burnout and anxiety — producing beneficial effects on wellbeing and supporting positive social interactions for individuals and groups alike.

According to a recent study published by the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, empathy in older adults may play a sizable role in shaping the regularity and types of support they exchange within social networks and the ramifications associated with the exchanges. The study concludes that empathetic older adults grant emotional and instrumental support more often than older adults who display less empathy. Furthermore, those who are more empathetic enjoy greater levels of emotional comfort from their networks and uphold more positive moods throughout the day, producing significant exchanges of care and more powerful controls over temperament.

Practicing Empathy

Because empathy is a crucial element for collective support, everyone can benefit from improving their skills, whether practicing empathy comes naturally or must be learned. However, with time, an empathetic approach to all situations becomes instinctive. Here are three kinds of empathy that a person may encounter and should strive to understand:

Cognitive empathy consists of putting yourself in someone else’s situation to try and
comprehend what they might be going through at that moment. Even if it involves
something unfamiliar, the effort of understanding can transform anyone’s perspective.

Somatic empathy requires the ability to experience someone else’s feelings. It usually
includes physical reactions to situations like feeling sick, sweating or blushing.

Active listening is a large part of being empathetic, but taking action and giving appropriate feedback takes the skill a step further. Affective empathy entails understanding the emotion someone else is feeling and answering accordingly. The awareness establishes personal connections and leads to a more profound concern for others’ feelings.

As more and more people recognize the power of using empathetic techniques, a mutual understanding and compassion will blossom, empowering our communities to become more vibrant and rich in emotional support.

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