What are the benefits of compassion

<p>Having compassion can be difficult in a world where we’re bombarded with bad news and suffering. It feels like we are currently living in a dog-eat-dog world. We are all so worried about ourselves that we fail to look at the bigger picture. </p> <p>It’s almost like we no longer embrace a sense of community and are desensitised by those in more need. </p> <p><i>The interpretation of compassion is literally “a suffering with another.”</i></p> <p><b>Maybe we lack compassion? </b>The problem is, compassion is a powerful emotion, and it has many benefits. </p> <p><b>For example, you, Will, Be Happier:  </b>Showing compassion to others isn’t purely altruistic. When you help someone else, it boosts your pleasure. <a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2008/04/money-spent-on-others-can-buy-happiness/" target="_blank">A study from Harvard</a> in 2008 showed that donating money can make you happier than using it on yourself. </p> <p><b>Makes You More Attractive: </b>Positive personality traits like kindness and compassion <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S019188691400362" target="_blank">have been shown</a> to increase people’s perceptions of attractiveness. People rated headshots more attractive when they were attached to qualities like compassion. </p> <p><b>Improves Your Relationships: </b>Being compassionate is a key to reliable relationships. Whether romantic or not, people will be more comfortable and receptive to you if you show compassion towards them and others. </p> <p><b>Uplifts Your Community: </b>Compassion isn’t just powerful in your direct relationships. It can help uplift the world around you. Compassionate acts have a way of spreading like wildfire. James Fowler examined this phenomenon <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308151049.htm" target="_blank">in a study that showed</a> acts of kindness spread just as quickly as bad. </p> <p><b>Improves Your Mental Well-Being:  </b>Compassion isn’t just about other people. We must pract