But that can feel like a tall order when youre barely keeping afloat yourself.
The short answer: We have to be intentional about how we practice empathy.
When were not dealing withcollective sufferinglike we are now, empathy doesnt usually feel like a chore.
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When were caught in our own emotional fog, its harder to show up for others.
Which brings us back to how we can be intentional about our empathy.
One way, according to Dr. Crowe, is to identify your “empathy superpower.
What are empathy superpowers?
Empathy superpowers, a term coined by Dr. Crowe, are the ways empathy comes most naturally to us.
Feeling numb, havingtrouble concentrating, and feeling helpless can all be signs.
She coined these three empathic styles as Gift Givers, Workhorses, and Listeners.
Ready to explore your superpower?
Heres how you’re able to take care of othersand yourselfduring this time.
Frequently, its their way of saying, Im sorry life sucks.
Im thinking of you.
Plus, Gift Givers recognize that people often need space while going through a hard time.
Now might be the time to make some modifications to your usual acts of kindness.
Same goes for the other superpowers on this list.
Sometimes, our go-to superpowers are actually behaviors that have been reinforced by family norms or expectations.
How can you tell?
These gestures, even when small, can make people feel loved, Dr. Crowe says.
There are a few reasons you may gravitate toward acts of service like this.
The Workhorse may prefer to take action because they shy away from emotional conversations, Dr. Crowe explains.
Your culture and family values could lead you to default to serving as a Workhorse too.
In these communities, empathy superpowers may be an agreed-upon family practice instead of an individual endeavor.
If youre bone tired, overly anxious, or emotionally depleted, consider finding support of your own.
have a go at be creative in finding ways to help out that are less time-consuming or draining.
The Listener
A natural-born counselor, the Listener expresses empathy by being present with another persons pain.
And in a crisis, you almost always know the right thing to say.
There are a few thingsallstyles should keep in mind.
What you think of as a helpful act of kindness might feel jarring or inappropriate to the receiver.
For this reason, communication is everything.
Which one feels useful?
Pay close attention to any changes in your sleep or appetite, as those can be indicators of stress.
All of these might be signs that you should probably pull back from helping others to look after yourself.
Empathy isnt a rescue mission.
In the end, it should be rewarding for the giver and the receiver, Dr. Grich says.
