Since the pandemic started, feelings of loneliness have increased in general for many people. However, the rate of individuals experiencing loneliness has been estimated at one in five Americans for years, so understanding how to ease this unpleasant feeling is important. Empathy has been proven to help combat loneliness, and Geraldine K. Piorkowski Ph.D. describes exactly how in an article provided by PsychologyToday.
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Empathetic listening is a crucial relationship tool in general, but it is also a way to connect emotionally to others, which combats the feelings of isolation. When you are communicating with your loved ones, be sure to not only pay attention to what they are saying, but to their emotions, which are expressed typically in nonverbal behavior.
The use of smartphones and computers might be contributing to diminishing levels of empathy amongst the younger generations. Texting and phone calls becoming a primary form of communication may be causing young people to lack the practice of being an empathetic listener. In-person communications allows one to fully see someone’s body language and gestures. Over the pandemic, you probably experienced plenty of Zoom or Facetime calls. These platforms are useful tools, but they can't completely replace face-to-face communication. When you are speaking to an individual in person, there are many more occasions for empathy to develop through the practice of observing certain behaviors.
Everyone wants to be understood. A toddler’s desire to learn to articulate is proof of this idea. The desire to be emotionally understood by others is basic human nature, so it only makes sense that being an empathetic communicator and listener is important when managing the relationships in your life. If you are actively empathizing with your loved ones, you will create deeper connections and this can help immensely when you are combating loneliness.
If you are struggling with loneliness, look into support groups. The idea of these groups is allowing everyone to feel understood, and less alone. The core idea is to have empathetic people empathizing with each other. Also, if you are feeling lonely, and you are on your smartphone or computer a lot, try to initiate more in person meetings when it is safe to do so. Listen and communicate with empathy for a deeper connection. If you take the necessary steps to reduce this unpleasant feeling, but it isn’t easing up, reach out to a mental health professional to discuss the emotions you are experiencing.
Generally, empathy strengthens our compassion, sympathy, and consideration of others. It is an important component of being a human, and it can reduce the feelings of being alone. Practice empathetic listening and communicating to benefit your personal relationships, and to better your overall mental health.