First Psychology blog

Tough conversations are part of daily life. They may include conflict with loved ones to debates with colleagues. While these conversations may be challenging, they offer an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding. However, navigating tough conversations can be emotionally draining and can negatively impact our mental wellbeing. The good news is that there are a number of strategies you can use to help approach difficult conversations with empathy and openness while remaining kind to yourself.  Use empathy as a foundation Empathy is crucial when engaging in tough conversations. It allows us to understand and relate to the emotions and perspectives of others. Before entering into any difficult discussion, it’s essential to think about how things may be from the other person's perspective. This helps us gain insight into their thoughts and feelings, allowing for a more constructive and compassionate conversation. A study released by Ohio State University says: “Focusing on b...

The greatest difference between a person who is sympathetic and empathetic is that an empath is much more sensitive to their surroundings and the people around them, often placing themselves in another person’s shoes to understand how they are feeling. According to the National Library of Medicine , “Important research on empathy and altruism has demonstrated that enhancing perspective taking, the capacity to see a person’s situation from his or her point of view, coupled with enhanced value being placed on the welfare of those who are unfamiliar can override bias.” While empaths often suffer from being highly emotional, oversensitive to crowded environments and can feel overwhelmed by intensely close relationships, there are, however, many benefits. 1. Intuitive Owing to their enhanced sensitivity, empaths tend to be extremely intuitive. This is a great skill to have as they’re able to read situations and people and avoid any negative environments. By noticing subtle signs such as...

With controversy surrounding the recent European Football Championships which took place in Poland and the Ukraine, and in tribute of Nelson Mandela's birthday tomorrow, it seems fitting to draw the spotlight on the topic of discrimination and racism, in particular. It is hardly surprising to learn that racial discrimination may be harmful to our health. Findings from a study conducted at Rice University found approximately 18% of black people and 4% of white people reported more physical symptoms and higher levels of emotional upset as a result of perceived treatment based on race. Indeed, the relationship between perceived racism and self-reported depression and anxiety is strong. According to researchers at the University of British Columbia, it is how we feel about ourselves, particularly how we experience pride that determines our racist attitudes towards others who are different. 'Authentic' pride results from hard work and achievement whereas 'hubristic...