Happy Holidays! In the spirit of love, warmth and companionship, I’ve made this infographic on the scientific benefits of Compassion!
We often think that we will gain happiness by achieving, receiving or attaining. We also think that in order to be happy, we have to receive love. Think again!
Research shows that our greatest fulfillment comes in large part from being connected to others and from helping them.
There is truth to the saying “It is in giving that we receive.”
Compassion brings meaning and researchers have found that living a life of meaning is one of the greatest determinants of happiness. Not only does compassion ensure depth, fulfillment and purpose in our lives, studies show that it has powerful health benefits and even leads to a longer life!
To help keep you inspired, I’ve summarized research on compassion in one handy infographic! Enjoy!
Has someone’s compassion made a difference in your life? How do you want to incorporate more compassion into your life?
Please share in comment below.
Enjoyed this post?
✓ tips for a healthier lifestyle
✓ happiness insights
11 comments
Thanks Emma for a wonderful infographic. Compassion can be such a fleeting thing that we need reminding to rein ourselves in and revisit it daily. and who knew practicing compassion gives us more time 🙂 now there’s a benefit easily sold.
Thanks for the kind words Craig, so glad you feel inspired!
♥…thanks for recycling this Doc, it features two of the things I LOVE the most (Infographics & Compassion) 😉
Now, if our Thoughts, Words, and Actions are constantly influencing one another (in any order), can we have a little #PhilosophicalAerobics, and Contemplate Compassion in it’s multiple machinations? 😉
When I heard the quote “What we resist, persists”, and was taught that Abundance is “Being against nothing”, I decided to transform ‘bullying’ into @Compassioning (the practical application of Empathy)! The Words are Compassionate Communication, and the thought is Natural Giving (Contributing to the Well-Being of Team Humanity, vs fear of punishment or seeking of reward)! How’s that land with you? 🙂
Good for you Tony!
Hi
In the ninth benefit, the title says compassion gives us more time. Then in the body of the text you say it makes us feel we have more money. Is this what you meant to say? And if so, could you explain? Thanks,
Love your message and research! How can I get my hands on your amazing charts for my clients?
My parents were compassionate by raising me, letting me live in their house, and sending me money and books when I was in jail. The government is compassionate by giving me medicaid and SSI. Andy Bojarski is compassionate by doing the Love Bomb meditation and by healing me for free.
When I want to be compassionate, I go on answers.Yahoo.com and answer people’s questions. I am compassionate to animals by being a vegan. I believe I am compassionate to both you and me by leaving this comment. I will try to be more compassionate by writing for my school newspaper and by studying hard and sharpening my mind and do any other self-improvement because only by helping myself will I be able to help others. That’s why I need to keep learning. Learning is greater than giving now because it makes me more able to give in the future. I really want to donate to a lot of places that have helped me, but if I am really grateful, I will study hard and keep improving myself so that I might one day contribute ideas to society instead of money.
But to be really compassionate, we need to know how to help and what people desperately need help in. That is what I will be on the lookout for. One thing is to be happy so that people around me are also happy.
Wonderful infographic. Thanks for sharing. Not sure how you would measure these, but what do you think about these additional benefits as well:
#11 Gives meaning to our lives.
#12 Self-compassion reduces anxiety & depression.
thank you for sharing the infographics on compassion!
Since connecting with Karen Armstrong and now you it is indeed Bliss to lead this way of life. Thus I have adopted my name to be Dugood! and my email address speaks the message of compassion-dugood4all@…….
Hello Emma,
Thank you for this infographic. It is brilliant!
I was wondering if you might be able to tell me the studies you refer to in #6 when you state that compassion makes us “healthier and more resistant to illness”. I’d be, of course, very grateful”. Thank you for your work and all you do for mankind.
Sure, see my articles on that throughout the website, especially: http://www.emmaseppala.com/the-science-of-compassion/