One of the important components of being able to cope well with stress is empathy, the ability to understand how another person is feeling. The upside of empathy is that it fosters helping others, and that helping often leads to putting your own issues in perspective, and getting a better understand of those issues.
Recently I was talking with an acquaintance who is a strong anti-vaccine guy. Let’s note that one’s position on the value of vaccinations is usually based on doctrines from any of several streams of thought, such as political science, religion, history, and medical ethics, just to name a few. It is also safe to say that most anti-vaxers are comfortable with their opinion and not psychologically troubled, even though their opinion may make them sound like they are not concerned with the welfare of others and have no empathy them. In other words, empathy is not required for one to be psychologically healthy. What we are saying is that if you are troubled and having difficulties coping with the stresses in your life, finding empathy for others at that point can help you.
Let’s consider the case of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), 32nd US President. After beginning what looked to be a great political career, FDR was stricken with polio at the age of 39, and was never again able to walk without leg braces and assistance. Just standing, much less taking steps, was an immense undertaking involving considerable pain and effort, and he spent most of his days in a wheelchair. In her book, Leadership in Turbulent Times, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin describes how FDR—long before becoming president—underwent a kind of psychological rebirth at a health spa in Warm Springs, Georgia. He found his way there after hearing reports that the waters of the spa had positive effects on paralyzed victims like himself.
FDR came from the “upper crust” of the American socioeconomic ladder, the elite of society. At Warm Springs, however, he interacted with—and became friends with—people he came to call his “fellow polios.” They were not the elite of society, but victims like him. He discovered that his association with them energized his spirits, and taught him the importance of teamwork, friendship, and a sensitivity to how others felt. He learned how to communicate—both listening and speaking—with his fellows as equals, without elitism, condescension, or superiority. In short, FDR discovered humility and empathy, two qualities we often discuss in this blog as essential to learning how to cope with psychological adversity and become more mentally healthy. If you are troubled and having difficulties coping with the stresses in your life, finding personal humility and empathy for others, and serving them, can help in the recovery journey.
Psychology and Stress 