The situations we are expected to manage daily have highlighted empathy and self-compassion as elements that can help us cope. Of course, their role is not limited to this, as it seems that they can significantly contribute to our happiness.
More specifically, a group of scientists evaluated the levels of empathy, self-compassion and happiness of 566 people, as well as the relationships between these elements. According to the results, happiness is related to a person's levels of empathy and self-compassion. Specifically, people who had higher levels of empathy and self-esteem were happier than those who had less empathy and self-esteem, regardless of whether they were men or women.
Additionally, it was found that when levels of self-compassion are high, the relationship between empathy and happiness is strengthened.
In other words, the more we cultivate empathy and self-compassion, the more we care about the feelings of others while taking care of ourselves and our own needs, the happier we can become.
Inam, A., Fatima, H., Naeem, H., Mujeeb, H., Khatoon, R., Wajahat, T., ... & Sher, F. (2021). Self-Compassion and Empathy as Predictors of Happiness among Late Adolescents. Social Sciences, 10(10), 380.