In times of emergency and humanitarian crisis, there is one factor that cannot be missing: true and genuine empathy. It is the energy that creates bridges between people allowing the flow of compassion and that active interest capable of generating positive changes.
Written and verified by the psychologist GetPersonalGrowth.
Last update: 15 November 2021
Empathy in times of a pandemic is key. It shouldn't be missing in any scenario, public or private. It should be present in every person, in every mind that has the purpose of serving others, leading a country or simply staying at home to safeguard others and herself to curb infections. Awakening this psychological dimension has never been more important.
Well, psychologists are well aware that man is not always capable of effectively applying this dimension. Perceiving the pain and needs of others is not the same as understanding them and deciding to be useful. Between feeling and doing there is an abyss that not everyone has the courage to cross by creating bridges, activating energy and resources for the common good.
After all, this is the true purpose of empathy: to connect the emotions of various individuals to favor the survival and well-being of the group, generating behaviors that are capable of doing good to others. Simple, but sometimes so difficult.
As well points out Daniel Goleman, no matter how smart one is, without useful and active empathy no one can go far. Let's find out more about empathy in times of pandemics.
This is why empathy is indispensable in times of pandemics
In times of crisis and hardship, empathy can act as a catalyst. It is a means that allows the flow of harmony between groups of people, the identification of the needs of others and the active collaboration to become part of the group and not an architect of conflicts.
We need people who add and not subtract, there is a need for hearts and minds to create solutions and not to remain in a passive position to limit oneself to looking at what others are doing wrong. Let's dig into why empathy in times of a pandemic is more necessary than ever.
Understanding the needs of those around us
In the current health crisis, there is a more imminent factor than the risk of getting infected. There will be those who think only of their own health and that of their family, yet in this situation we should be able to take a step further.
There is a need for a support network between neighbors that identifies, for example, the elderly lord of the fifth floor living alone or the elderly couple of the third who cannot go shopping.
Emotional empathy is useful as it allows us to perceive the reality of others, but what we need to focus on now is cognitive empathy, that aimed at understanding real needs, that goes beyond emotion and pushes to act and find solutions.
Our frontline professionals also need our empathy
Healthcare professionals are the first to experience genuine empathy with their patients. It is undeniable. However, empathy is more necessary than ever these days because in recent days we have seen despicable behavior targeting them and other workers.
Some people left threatening messages on our doctors' cars, supermarket nurses and cashiers. Neighbors left notes in their doors demanding that they seek other accommodation during the pandemic. This is not good. Such behaviors generate fear, regret and despair in those who are giving everything for us.
If we are unable to take care of those who take care of us, we will never advance as humanity.
We need leaders who are able to show compassionate empathy
In his book Focus, Daniel Goleman explained that there is a third type of fundamental empathy in the field of political or corporate leadership: compassionate empathy. In this case, an emotional, cognitive and behavioral exercise is mobilized in which genuine concern for others is shown.
All selfishness, interest and falsehood fall and a compassion is activated that raises the human being above all things. All this translates into actions, into real and effective commitment starting from an authentic closeness with people.
Empathy in times of pandemic: an opportunity for global growth
In times of a pandemic, empathy is more crucial than ever. We have a real opportunity to put it into action, bearing in mind the findings of a study carried out at the University of Manchester, UK, by Dr Karen Tristen.
According to this research, active empathy offered through social support creates stronger, happier bonds and impacts life expectancy.
Few times had we needed this dimension so much. Maybe the occasion has come to teach it to our children, to spread it among neighbors, in small villages and large cities, and of course also internationally. We need the help and compassion of those near, but also far away.
We need the empathy of a friend, a brother, a doctor as well as that researcher who works thousands of miles to find a vaccine. Let's think about it and take advantage of this opportunity.
