Mentcouch Psychology Centre’s Post

In a world that could use more kindness, recent research shows ways to boost empathy and cooperation. What small act of kindness will you do today to make a positive impact? 💙 #EmpathyMatters #KindnessCounts

Daily Empathy Post # 3084 (October 11) "It is a tender touch that soothes another's wounds, a comforting embrace that whispers, 'You are not alone.' Yet, sometimes empathy can also be a double-edged sword. When we hit the wall of our limitations while trying to help others, it can lead to empathetic distress, a reminder of our vulnerability and limitations. Witnessing the pain of others can evoke a symphony of emotions, from sorrow and anger to guilt and helplessness. It can also be a source of overwhelming distress. Empathy can morph into distress over time. But does that mean we should refrain from empathising? No, empathy drives us to be more human and to put more effort into pushing ourselves forward for others in need. It is important to remember that this distress reflects our humanity—a reminder that we still deeply care."

embracing compassionate empathy by Peculiarly Positive Perspectives embracing compassionate empathy means fully understanding and sharing others' feelings, actively listening, showing genuine care, and offering support without judgment. It goes beyond just feeling sorry for someone; it involves putting yourself in their shoes and providing practical help. Research shows that practicing compassionate empathy strengthens relationships and improves mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. By cultivating this quality, you can create a more connected and supportive community. via YouTube https://lnkd.in/gGup2azx

*From People Pleasing to Embracing Kindness: My Journey* Why is it always me? Why do I feel like everything is my fault? Why can’t I confront those who’ve hurt me, not just once, but repeatedly? Why am I the one apologizing, even when I’m not to blame? I've been a people pleaser for as long as I can remember, and I think it stems from my childhood. I was the child who believed that everything happening around me—every argument, every conflict—was somehow my fault. If something went wrong at home, I’d think it was because of me. If there was trouble at school, I’d assume I was to blame. I thought I was responsible for people’s happiness, so I did whatever it took to keep everyone pleased, even if it meant suppressing my own feelings and desires. It became easier to stay silent, to accept what others said without resistance, to do things the way they wanted—just to avoid conflict and the fear of upsetting anyone. As I grew older, I began to understand myself better. I realized I wasn’t wrong for wanting to express my own thoughts and needs. I started to see that I had every right to voice my opinions. I didn’t always have to shape myself according to others’ expectations. I realized my silence wasn’t because I was guilty, but because I feared anger and rejection. I believed that speaking up would lead to conflict, so I kept quiet. However, I finally understood that the burden of guilt wasn’t mine to carry. If there were problems at home or with friends, it wasn’t my fault. I had conditioned myself to believe that it was. **As I grew up, I began to understand my capabilities and strengths. I slowly gained confidence as I recognized my own abilities. As my self-doubt started fading, I realized that it wasn’t just about others acknowledging and appreciating my talents, but also about me understanding my own worth. I started becoming myself again. When confidence and self-awareness came to me, I realized I didn’t have to carry the burden of guilt anymore.** Once I recognized this, I started changing. I shifted from being a people pleaser to someone who genuinely helps others, without sacrificing my own well-being. Now, I’m no longer afraid to express myself. I also began to see that I wasn’t the cause of every fight. People weren’t just angry with me—they loved and appreciated me too. It took time, but I eventually understood that the guilt I carried from childhood wasn’t mine to bear. I no longer needed to shoulder that weight. Many others may have gone through similar experiences, and I want to share my story. It’s important for parents and children to express their feelings openly. Otherwise, children might grow up carrying the weight of others’ problems, thinking everything is their fault. Learning to listen and show love can help break this pattern of self-blame and allow children to develop their true selves. https://lnkd.in/gFmedm-A

WHAT DOES EMPATHY TRULY MEAN? It's not feeling sorry for someone EMPATHY IS: SENSING SOMEONE'S EMOTIONS - It's about working on picking up how someone is truly feeling and trying to understand it IMAGINING YOURSELF IN THEIR SITUATION - Putting yourself in someone else's shoes is key. Remembering it's not about YOU, but about what THEY are going through LISTENING ATTENTIVELY TO THEIR EXPERIENCES - Everyone experiences things differently. Even when going through the same thing, people's experiences are different. try and understand it from there perspective RESPECTING THEIR FEELINGS WITHOUT TRYING TO CHANGE THEM - Even if you're not comfortable with someone else's feelings, accept that for what it is and don't try and change it. Instead be there with them through those feelings OFFERING SUPPORT - Support is not about solving the issue, it's about asking them how they feel you can be helpful and doing or not doing what they want or don't want SHOWING GENUINE CONCERN FOR THEM - Again, it's not prying and pushing. It's about being there for them and letting them know that you're there and you care while still respecting their space and wishes AVOIDING JUDGMENT AND CRITICISM - Often you may not be able to fully understand what or why it is what they're going through. It's crucial to create an environment where there is no judgment or criticism and instead support and unconditional love through the support process DO IT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE THERE FOR THEM, NOT BECAUSE IT'S MAKING YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE https://lnkd.in/ea5dqang #elisthoughts #mentalhealth #therapy #socialwork #lmsw #psychology #mindset #growth #experience #positivity #relationships #process #journey #support #empower #encourage #healing #empathy #unconditionallove #care #support

According to Psychology Today, “Compassion is an empathic understanding of a person's feelings, accompanied by altruism, or a desire to act on that person's behalf.” 💜 Compassion, unlike sympathy or empathy, drives one to act towards alleviating another's suffering, coming from a place of kindness. 👉 Compassion is not a noun, it's a VERB! 🫶 Compassion allows you to be kind to another human being while protecting yourself from getting overly entangled in the emotions of the other person, which can often happen with just having empathy. 💢 Compassion creates space between an individual and the situation, while being rooter in kindness. This helps build resilience and improve overall wellbeing. As important as it is to have empathy, especially in the workplace, it's even more important to practice compassion in it's true essence. What is your experience of compassion at the workplace? Share in the comments. #HolisticWellness #Compassion #Empathy

While we often see someone’s behaviour or interactions, the unseen elements—like their past experiences, inner struggles, and personal reflections—are equally crucial. Empathy allows us to connect on a deeper level and genuinely support one another. 💫 👉 Discover how embracing empathy can transform your relationships and wellbeing. Book a session with Ananda.ai today to learn more about fostering understanding and kindness in every aspect of your life. Visit- www.ananda.ai #empathy #empathymatters #mentalhealthawareness

𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by negativity by what we see hear and especially the social media which consumes us and our thoughts The article (in the link below) touches on a few ways to develop compassion: ⠀ 1. Look for the good in others. Everyone has a story worth listening to. 2. Practice random acts of kindness. Small gestures can have a big impact. 3. Spread positivity wherever you go. Your words and actions can inspire empathy. Let’s change what we want to see in the world. Together we will build a more compassionate society. Dive into this enlightening piece for more insights: https://lnkd.in/eZBaKDbP "Compassion Kindness Empathy”

What is kindness? How do people decide whether to be kind? Can kindness be measured? And just how kind are people? Ever heard of the kindness quotient? No? Well, it's a new way to measure kindness using the costs and benefits of kind acts. Keen to know more? Take a look at the article below.   Link: https://lnkd.in/dNuqrMmB Psychology Today

Check out this week's throwback blog post about being an introvert or an extrovert, written by Emily Beck, LCSW! "An introvert is someone who gets energy from alone time, while an extrovert is someone who gets energy from being around other people. While some introverts are shy and some extroverts are outgoing, some can be introverted and outgoing, or extroverted and shy. Someone who is extroverted will feel energized after social encounters, and more drained from alone time. An introvert may feel drained after a social encounter and need a few hours by themselves. An ambivert is a term used to describe someone who experiences both things- energy from being alone, and energy from being with others- depending on the scenario. " https://lnkd.in/gr2mdf_3