What Are the Benefits of Compassion?

1. Compassion gives you purpose: With compassion, you step out of self-focus and find a greater sense of meaning that extends beyond just you. Having a sense of purpose helps you live longer and supports a greater quality of life (Alimujiang et al. 2019). Having compassion for yourself also motivates you to change unhealthy behaviors and step out of environments and relationships that are harmful to you.
2. Compassion is good for mental health: When we realize that we aren’t carrying our pain alone, we feel our burdens lift a little. Research into compassion shows that it is related to greater happiness and lower depression (Shapira and Mongrain 2010), promotes social connection (Seppala, Rossomando, and Doty 2013), and bolsters stable feelings of self-worth (Neff and Vonk 2009). When we offer kindness for ourselves and forgiveness for our mistakes, we can step out of anxiety, rumination, and shame.
3. Compassion is good for physical health: Compassion helps us feel more connected and less stressed and may protect against the health consequences of loneliness (Jinpa 2015). A study of more than 2,000 people out of the University of Chicago found that extreme loneliness was twice as likely to cause death as obesity or high blood pressure (Cappiopo 2015). With compassion, you feel part of something bigger, and you feel supported in carrying life’s burdens.
4. Compassion is contagious: Compassion inspires what Johnathan Haidt calls “elevation.” Seeing someone engaging in acts of human goodness and kindness creates a warm, uplifting feeling that motivates others to do the same. When we are compassionate, it releases the bonding hormone oxytocin and activates areas of our brain associated with pleasure (Esch and Stefano 2011).

Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!

Reflection:

How does compassion make you feel?

#Compassion #Self-love #Kindness #Gratitude #MentalHealth

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