Is Avoiding Other People’s Suffering Good for Your Mental Health?

An international study finds that people who turn away from compassion have felt more depressed and anxious during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As COVID-19 ricocheted around the globe, millions of us sought shelter in retreat. Not only were we quarantining at home, we were putting up internal walls against the suffering we saw in the world. For more than a year, it’s been easy to justify an inward focus rather than an outward one.

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About The Author

Greater Good Science Center's picture
Greater Good Science Center

This article originally appeared on Greater Good, the online magazine of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.

The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.

Based at the University of California, Berkeley, the GGSC is unique in its commitment to both science and practice: Not only do we sponsor groundbreaking scientific research into social and emotional well-being, we help people apply this research to their personal and professional lives. Since 2001, we have been at the fore of a new scientific movement to explore the roots of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior—the science of a meaningful life. And we have been without peer in our award-winning efforts to translate and disseminate this science to the public.

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Mindfulness and Self Compassion

I write and speak often about self-care. Self-care is not always luxurious, but it is necessary. I have said before, it may not be a bubble bath with a glass of wine. It might be more beneficial to spend time getting caught up on paying bills or doing laundry.

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About The Author

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evox Television

evox provides an integrated entertainment experience that inspires positive changes in the way people live and work. We celebrate the good things about you, your family, your community, and your world. The network delivers a unique blend of evocative HD video programming, online community interaction, and related product shopping, to help people live a better life, grow as individuals, and in so doing, contribute to a better world.

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About The Author

Evelyn Alejandro's picture
Evelyn Alejandro

Evelyn Alejandro is a 2021 graduate from Salve Regina with a double major in Sociology and Anthropology as well as Global Studies. She also double minored in Economics and Food Studies. She works in the fields of marketing, event planning, writing, and project management. She aspires to be a serial entrepreneur and wants to pursue business that has social impact involved.

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For a Child, Being Carefree is Intrinsic to a Well-Lived Life

Some people are lucky enough to look back at their childhood with affection for a time in life without much stress and anxiety. They might think of long hours spent playing in the backyard free of worry, or pursuing projects and relationships without apprehension or fear. Such tender memories are often in stark contrast to the lives many lead as adults, where stress and anxiety seem to dominate.

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Aeon

Aeon is a digital magazine of ideas and culture. Since September 2012 they have been publishing some of the most profound and provocative thinking on the web. They ask the big questions and find the freshest, most original answers, provided by leading thinkers on science, philosophy, society, and the arts. Aeon was founded in London by Paul and Brigid Hains. It now has offices in London, Melbourne, and New York. Aeon is a not-for-profit and operated by Aeon Media Group Ltd., committed to big ideas, serious enquiry, and a humane worldview. That’s it.

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Breathe

Just Breathe.

If there is one thing I tell my clients to do on a regular basis it’s ‘Breathe’.

While it may sound silly, it is a fact that many of us forget to take deep, slow breaths during the normal course of our day. We get so stressed at work, at home, on social media, and now with a global pandemic, that we don’t stop and just breathe. We spend the day worried which is exacerbated by only taking short, shallow breaths.

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About The Author

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Pericles Rellas

Pericles Rellas is a prosperity coach who, for over 20 years, has worked with tens of thousands of people to live lives of power, purpose, and prosperity. 

Almost 25 years ago he noticed that his business clients exhibited what he now calls a ‘condition’ around money. Regardless of how much more they made, their situation and experience around money remained the same - stress, anxiety, dread, and just treading water or being behind. He set out to understand why and how to transform this condition. Thus the birth of Abundance & Prosperity. 

There are myriad coaches who are great at helping you make more money. Pericles is one of the few who actually works with you to not only create powerful (and empowering) structures to manage the flow of money in your life, but also to transform your relationship to money. By combining these approaches, it allows you to expand your capacity to earn and keep more money, thus having and experiencing Abundance & Prosperity in your life right now. All while maintaining your personal spiritual path. 

It is not about working harder or more - it’s about your relationship to money. 

You can find out more about Pericles and his Abundance & Prosperity program by visiting his Website or Facebook page.

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Subscribe to RSS - self-care
Sunset silhouette of a person alone at the edge of a lake.
Is Avoiding Other People’s Suffering Good for Your Mental Health?
10/20/2021
Greater Good Science Center
An international study finds that people who turn away from compassion have felt more depressed and anxious during the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 ricocheted around the globe, millions of us... read more
Silhouette of woman holding up hands in shape of a heart framing the sun at dusk.
Mindfulness and Self Compassion
07/27/2021
evox Television
I write and speak often about self-care. Self-care is not always luxurious, but it is necessary. I have said before, it may not be a bubble bath with a glass of wine. It might be more beneficial to... read more
Woman flying with umbrella in front of yellow wall
Seven Steps to Your Personal Transformation
04/02/2021
Evelyn Alejandro
You have to really want to change for personal transformation to take place. The good thing is you are already taking action by reading this. I am just going to jump in because I want personal... read more
A lineup of several kids playing in a public fountain.
For a Child, Being Carefree is Intrinsic to a Well-Lived Life
09/30/2020
Aeon
Some people are lucky enough to look back at their childhood with affection for a time in life without much stress and anxiety. They might think of long hours spent playing in the backyard free of... read more
Pink neon says AND BREATHE on wall of green plants
Breathe
03/13/2020
Pericles Rellas
Just Breathe. If there is one thing I tell my clients to do on a regular basis it’s ‘Breathe’. While it may sound silly, it is a fact that many of us forget to take deep, slow breaths during... read more
Sunset silhouette of a person alone at the edge of a lake.
Is Avoiding Other People’s Suffering Good for Your Mental Health?
10/20/2021
Greater Good Science Center
An international study finds that people who turn away from compassion have felt more depressed and anxious during the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 ricocheted around the globe, millions of us... read more
Silhouette of woman holding up hands in shape of a heart framing the sun at dusk.
Mindfulness and Self Compassion
07/27/2021
evox Television
I write and speak often about self-care. Self-care is not always luxurious, but it is necessary. I have said before, it may not be a bubble bath with a glass of wine. It might be more beneficial to... read more
Woman flying with umbrella in front of yellow wall
Seven Steps to Your Personal Transformation
04/02/2021
Evelyn Alejandro
You have to really want to change for personal transformation to take place. The good thing is you are already taking action by reading this. I am just going to jump in because I want personal... read more
A lineup of several kids playing in a public fountain.
For a Child, Being Carefree is Intrinsic to a Well-Lived Life
09/30/2020
Aeon
Some people are lucky enough to look back at their childhood with affection for a time in life without much stress and anxiety. They might think of long hours spent playing in the backyard free of... read more
Pink neon says AND BREATHE on wall of green plants
Breathe
03/13/2020
Pericles Rellas
Just Breathe. If there is one thing I tell my clients to do on a regular basis it’s ‘Breathe’. While it may sound silly, it is a fact that many of us forget to take deep, slow breaths during... read more