The Value of Empathy:

Imagining stories activates the particular regions inside our minds that facilitate better understanding of others and seeing our surroundings with a new perspective, equivalent to putting oneself in someone else's shoes.

When we read about a situation and how someone else...

Showing an interest in the lives of strangers increases our awareness of the struggles other people have.

We become aware of something beyond our own immediate needs and interests, which in turn decreases the feelings of isolation.

The enthusiasm for mindfulness makes sense: Research shows mindfulness can reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and decrease symptoms of mental illness.