empathy | don't underestimate it's impact on health & wellness

In a world where hustle is glorified and distractions are endless, empathy might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think about improving your well-being. But science and experience tell us that empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of another—isn't just good for others. It's profoundly healing and energizing for you, too.

From a wellness perspective, empathy is one of the most underrated tools we have to create healthier bodies, sharper minds, and more connected relationships. Whether you're a parent, team leader, healthcare provider, or simply a human being navigating modern life, building your empathy muscle can create powerful ripple effects across your entire life.

Empathy and Mental Health

Practicing empathy allows us to connect deeply with others, which is a cornerstone of emotional well-being. When we empathize, we shift out of self-focused thinking and into a state of connection, which has been shown to lower symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The act of feeling with someone else activates neural pathways associated with reward and connection, including the release of oxytocin—often referred to as the "love hormone."

Additionally, people who regularly practice empathy tend to have better emotional regulation. By learning to attune to the emotions of others, you naturally develop greater awareness of your own. This means you're better equipped to manage stress, recover from setbacks, and maintain a more balanced mood.

Empathy and Physical Health

Empathy doesn't just feel good—it can also reduce inflammation and support a healthy heart. Studies have found that prosocial behaviors, including empathic actions, are linked to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Chronic stress has been tied to a number of health issues including heart disease, weakened immunity, and disrupted sleep. Empathy, in this sense, becomes a form of physiological self-care.

Moreover, compassionate behavior has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of our body responsible for "rest and digest." This shift away from fight-or-flight mode encourages relaxation, better digestion, and improved immune function.

Empathy Boosts Productivity and Energy

Many people assume empathy is soft or passive, but in reality, it can drive better performance. In workplaces where empathy is practiced and valued, employees report higher job satisfaction, improved morale, and increased innovation. That’s because empathy strengthens psychological safety—when people feel heard and understood, they’re more willing to take risks, contribute ideas, and show up fully.

What’s more, empathy can be energizing. While excessive emotional labor can lead to burnout, genuine empathetic connection actually fills our emotional reserves. Feeling seen and seeing others in return is a powerful source of motivation and meaning.

Empathy Enhances Relationships

Whether it's with your partner, coworker, friend, or child, empathy is what deepens trust and intimacy. It allows us to see the humanity in others, respond to conflict with compassion, and create bonds that are resilient and rewarding.

When people feel truly understood, they are more likely to open up, communicate honestly, and resolve differences constructively. Empathy also helps us step out of judgment and into curiosity, making space for authentic dialogue and emotional growth.

Empathy isn't about fixing others or taking on their pain. It's about being present with someone in their experience. And that presence alone can be transformative.

Empathy and Cognitive Function

Interestingly, empathy also enhances brain function. Empathetic individuals tend to have greater activation in the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for executive function, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Practicing empathy regularly sharpens these skills and supports cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt, learn, and problem-solve effectively.

Furthermore, engaging in perspective-taking—a key component of empathy—helps create new neural connections, improving overall brain plasticity. This means that practicing empathy can actually make you smarter, not just kinder.

How to Build Empathy

Empathy is a skill, and like any skill, it can be developed with intention. Start by practicing active listening—really tuning in to what someone is saying without preparing your response. Ask open-ended questions, reflect back what you hear, and resist the urge to fix or offer advice immediately.

Spending time in nature, journaling, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in meaningful conversation are all ways to strengthen your emotional awareness and capacity for empathy.

Finally, don't forget to extend empathy to yourself. Self-compassion is the foundation that allows us to show up fully for others without becoming depleted.

Empathy Is Wellness

In a culture that often rewards efficiency over emotion, choosing to practice empathy is a radical act of well-being. It improves your mental health, supports your physical body, fuels your energy and performance, and elevates every relationship in your life.

Empathy isn’t just something we owe to others. It’s a gift we give ourselves—a practice that reminds us we are all connected, and we are never alone in our struggles. And that truth, perhaps more than any supplement or superfood, is what sustains real wellness.

“Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing.”

— Marshall B. Rosenberg