--- title: Why We Need More Empathy description: You probably know what it’s like to be around someone and just know that they’ve had a bad day. We don’t always know how to deal with negative emotions, sometimes they make us uncomfortable and we turn away from a person in need. This is why we need more empathy towards others. image: https://articles.wellzesta.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design-Mar-24-2023-08-30-19-3992-PM.png --- [![Wellzesta](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/652ed4901978b1a2ac40ce28_LogoWellzesta.svg)](https://www.wellzesta.com/) [Home](https://www.wellzesta.com/) [Solutions](https://www.wellzesta.com/solutions) [Benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/benefits) Resources ![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/6527f83222cbee1b24466c7a_chevron-down.svg) [Articles A library worth reading](https://articles.wellzesta.com/) [White Papers Research-focused discoveries](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/white-papers) [Case Studies Real-world client benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/#cases) [Videos Watch our videos](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/videos) [About us](https://www.wellzesta.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.wellzesta.com/contact) [Book a Demo](https://www.wellzesta.com/#book-a-demo) ![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/6527f83222cbee1b24466cad_menu-3-line.svg) [Home](https://www.wellzesta.com/) [Solutions](https://www.wellzesta.com/solutions) [Benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/benefits) Resources ![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/6527f83222cbee1b24466c7a_chevron-down.svg) [Articles A library worth reading](https://articles.wellzesta.com/) [White Papers Research-focused discoveries](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/white-papers) [Case Studies Real-world client benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/#cases) [Videos Watch our videos](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/videos) [About us](https://www.wellzesta.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.wellzesta.com/contact) # Why We Need More Empathy ##### Posted by [Annie Keough](https://articles.wellzesta.com/author/annie-keough) on March 24, 2023 ![](https://articles.wellzesta.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design-Mar-24-2023-08-30-19-3992-PM.png)   You probably know what it’s like to be around someone and just know that they’ve had a bad day. We don’t always know how to deal with negative emotions, sometimes they make us uncomfortable and we **turn away from a person in need**. This is why we need more empathy towards others. **What is empathy?** Empathy is the ability to understand **how others are feeling** so we can respond to their emotions appropriately. Instead of feeling another person’s sadness and turning away, empathy allows us to **feel *with* them** and help them through their troubles. Empathy is essential in our lives and our interactions with others. An alternative to the **Golden Rule** (treat others how you would want to be treated) is the **Platinum Rule: treat others how *they* would like to be treated**.  The Platinum Rule is an example of an empathetic approach to interactions that can help us strengthen social bonds and **create deeper connections. ** While some group empathy, compassion, and sympathy together, there are some **distinct differences** between the three. Sympathy and compassion are important but are thought to be a more passive connection style. Empathy is **actively attempting to understand another person**. There are three different types of empathy: affective, somatic, and cognitive. **     Affective.** The ability to understand another person’s emotions and appropriately respond. This type of empathy is “**other-oriented**,” meaning it seeks to achieve an emotional understanding of someone’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. **     Somatic.** Having a **physical reaction** to what another person feels/is experiencing. Second-hand embarrassment is an example of somatic empathy. When you see someone get embarrassed, your face may blush or your hands start to shake. **     Cognitive.** The ability to understand **another person’s perspective.** You can think about what someone may be thinking in response to a situation. Utilizing a combination of all three types of empathy can help your **social connections** at **work**, around your **family** and **friends**, or in **everyday interactions.** **Wellzesta** Wellzesta encourages **social** and **emotional well-being** as part of our eight dimensions of wellness. **Empathy** allows our users to excel in both dimensions. Wellzesta Life users can practice empathy in their social lives by attending **Events** and creating **Groups** in the Life app. **Daily wellness content** about empathy and how to cultivate it is also available to users in the Well-being section. Click [**here**](https://www.wellzesta.com/) to learn more about how Wellzesta can help your community. 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