The Evidence: Empathy is good for your health and well-being (Updated!)

A Rumor of Empathy with Lou Agosta

Empathy has been criticized as not "evidence-based" or lacking in scientific rigor. This is incorrect. Extensive scientific and peer-reviewed research supports the position that empathy is good for you health and well-being. This podcast covers the research in a brainy but breezy way. The podcast discusses the relevance and the cytokine theory of depression, how this relates to inflammation and inflammation-reducing practices. It also takes a light-hearted and personal look at how the practice of empathy as well as a set of related practices such as mindfulness (meditation), yoga, and Tai Chi contribution to stress reduction (and what the heck is "stress" anyway).

Empathy is good for your health and well-being: Empathy is on a short list of stress reduction practices including meditation (mindfulness), Tai Chi, and Yoga. Receiving empathy in the form of a gracious and generous listening is like getting a spa treatment for the soul.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://louagosta.com/2021/04/18/empathy-is-good-for-your-health-and-well-being-the-evidence/

(c) Lou Agosta, PhD and the Chicago Empathy Project