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Lend an Ear

Supportive listening can be mutually beneficial

By

Staying Sharp

Updated April 07, 2023

Updated April 07, 2023

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Quick Win

Being a good listener may sound easy, but it’s a skill! Being there for others feels good and can help to deepen your relationships.

Try This Today

Reach out. Call a friend or family member who is going through a hard time or may be feeling lonely.
Focus on listening. Resist the urge to offer advice or compare the person’s experience to yours; it’s the listening that matters.
Be a mirror. Don’t worry about saying just the right thing or solving the person’s problem. Instead, echo what the person is saying, with empathy and support.

Why

Being there for someone is an act of kindness that may enhance your own happiness, research suggests. Your loved one stands to benefit, too, of course. In fact, a study of more than 2,000 older adults published in JAMA Network Open in 2021 underscores the health benefits of social support. Participants who had supportive listeners in their life appeared to be more protected against cognitive decline.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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