Sharing the Love is Win Win
Doing good is good for you too. Performing acts of kindness can benefit your health and those around you. Here’s how acts of kindness will improve your health.
IMPROVES HAPPINESS AND SATISFACTION
When people go out of their way to offer you assistance, don’t you automatically feel uplifted? And when you’re the one offering your assistance to a stranger, doesn’t their gracious reaction make it all the worthwhile? Yes and yes.
Psychologist Lara Honos-Webb, Ph.D writes, “doing something nice for someone also gives the brain a serotonin boost, the chemical that gives us that feeling of satisfaction and well-being.”
GAIN SELF CONFIDENCE
Psychologist, Marc Snyder, says that people who volunteer are happier, more psychologically stable, and have higher self-esteem. When you volunteer your time to help others in return you feel a sense of purpose as you’re also acquiring new knowledge.
According to the United States Department of Labor, volunteerism is on a decline in the U.S., so boost your confidence, make a difference, and lend a hand. Check out VolunteerMatch.org for opportunities to get involved with any cause of your interest.
ALLEVIATE STRESS
Volunteering promotes socializing. Socializing decreases the type of isolation and loneliness that can lead to depression. Creating your own network of people who can bring positivity into your life can have beneficial effect on your stress levels.
In this article, authors Harry Mills, PH.D., Natalie Reiss, PH.D. and Mark Dombeck, PH.D explain how socializing and performing altruistic acts have a positive effect on hormone levels and the brain and how it’s the quality of our relationships that counts more than quantity.
LIVE LONGER
According to Time magazine, living a life full of service decreases early mortality rate. Research finds that doing good improves your overall life happiness and physical well-being. Adding some extra years on your life is one heck of a reward for sacrificing some time!
Aside from all the benefits you’ll reap from doing good, remember that the ones who need your help are the most important. It’s a win, win situation. Now go ahead and be the person who makes someone’s day.
