Helping others can have a powerful positive impact on the mental and physical well-being of the giver. It can give them a sense of accomplishment, boost their self-esteem, and improve their mood. Moreover, it provides a sense of connection and purpose that can be very rewarding. Here are 19 reasons why helping others makes you happier.
1. Volunteering Can Reduce Stress
Whenever your body experiences pain or stress, it releases endorphins. Although exercise or laughter is typically recommended to improve stress levels, other ways to boost endorphins exist. For instance, volunteering for a cause or organization has been shown by the Cleveland Clinic to have a positive impact on endorphin levels.
2. Lowering the Risk of Depression and Anxiety
Everyone needs to focus on improving their mental wellbeing. Volunteering can be a great way to do so, as it can give you the satisfaction of helping others and trigger the production of hormones like dopamine in your brain, which can boost your mood.
3. Achieving a Higher Level of Happiness
Volunteering for over a decade increased participants’ happiness, according to a 2020 study. In addition, people who volunteered at least monthly reported better mental health than less frequent volunteers.
4. Keeping Your Mind Sharp
Numerous volunteers currently devoted to serving their community believe that volunteering keeps their minds sharp. Research supports this claim. Volunteering later in life may safeguard the brain against cognitive decline and dementia.
5. Staying Healthy and Active
Volunteering is a great way to stay active and healthy. Studies have shown that people who volunteer tend to have a lower risk of mortality than those who don’t. Moreover, older volunteers are more likely to engage in physical activity such as walking, making it easier to manage daily tasks. Additionally, volunteering can help lower the risk of developing high blood pressure.
6. Building Connections
Getting involved in activities that positively impact your community can bring you closer to people, help you make new friends, improve your lifestyle, and enhance your mood. Even small tasks can make a big difference in the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need. Participating in such activities can expand your network and develop your social skills.
7. Self-Confidence
A natural sense of accomplishment depends on how well you do with others and contribute to your community. Volunteering can increase your sense of pride. The better you feel about yourself, the more favorable outcomes, views, and perspectives you’ll have toward life and your future goals.
8. Learning Skills
There is nothing more satisfying than learning new skills and achieving self-improvement. Such accomplishments can boost our daily lives and lifestyles, improve our moods, and help us maintain balance. You can raise awareness for your favorite cause by becoming a volunteer advocate, which will further develop and improve your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills.
9. Developing Your Career
Volunteering isn’t just great for your soul—it looks good on your resume. Most employers like knowing you have interests outside of work, and showing you care about your community and helping others can put you ahead. Plus, you can grow your network when you meet like-minded people while volunteering.
10. Practicing Mindfulness
Volunteering is an excellent way to break free from the monotony of daily life and find meaning in your free time. Focusing on the present moment and the task can improve mental well-being and reduce stress. Volunteering is the perfect solution if you’re looking to give back to your community while also taking care of yourself.
11. Social Intelligence
Empathy and volunteering are linked and lead to happier individuals and stronger communities. Studies have found that empathy is associated with pro-social behavior. People with low empathy levels are less likely to volunteer or support charities.
12. Thinking about Interests
Sometimes, we might feel lost in the vast world. Pursuing a passion or supporting an organization that aligns with our interests can be helpful. Understanding how to incorporate our passions into our personal and professional lives allows us to develop new skills and engage in activities that bring us joy.
13. Leading by Example
Volunteering or helping others is a powerful way to teach empathy. Becoming a strong example can demonstrate to those around you how you support others. This is especially important for children, as you may instill in them the importance of everyday kindness and contributing to your community. These values are essential building blocks for individuals and communities to thrive.
14. Accomplishing Goals
One of the most effective strategies for achieving success in life is to help others achieve their goals. If you focus on their needs and provide value, you can create opportunities for yourself and build valuable relationships from which both parties can benefit. Whether you are working with colleagues, clients, or friends, helping others achieve their goals can be a powerful and rewarding way to succeed in your own life.
15. Stronger Friendships
Building lasting bonds with friends is possible when you become a positive influence in their lives. It helps you master the art of effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability. These crucial skills are helpful not just in volunteer work but in every aspect of life, including building lasting and vital friendships.
16. Being Thankful
Volunteering is an excellent way to develop a more profound sense of gratitude. It can help you become more aware of your life’s blessings. By volunteering and helping others, you can gain a fresh perspective on your situation and develop an appreciation for what you already have. Developing gratitude is vital to your development as a human being.
17. Increasing Coping Skills
People worldwide have long been searching for ways to improve their coping skills, particularly when they are feeling depressed or anxious. Volunteering effectively deals with stress, providing a sense of purpose, belonging, and gratitude.
18. A Sense of Renewal
One great way to get back to feeling like yourself, whether through a challenging experience or having a case of the blues, is to participate in activism. Helping others can teach you to help yourself and improve your well-being. So, don’t hesitate to take action and do something good for others, as it could be the boost you need.
19. Becoming a “Glass Half-Full” Person
Did you know doing something kind for someone else could positively impact your outlook and attitude? Performing acts of kindness can boost your mood and make you more optimistic in the long run.
Feeling Great While Helping Others
One way to improve our quality of life is by embracing a service-oriented mindset. We can do this by looking for ways and people we can help. Studies have shown that altruism is hardwired in the brain and can be pleasurable. By helping others, we can lead happier, healthier, wealthier, and more meaningful lives. Finding the right approach is essential. As we give, we can discover purpose, meaning, and happiness.
15 Healthiest McDonald’s Menu Choices and Their Nutritional Breakdown
Looking to satisfy your fast food cravings but not sure if it’s good for you? Luckily, the McDonald’s menu is vast and has some surprisingly healthy options. Here’s how some of the most popular menu items stack up in terms of nutrition.
15 Healthiest McDonald’s Menu Choices and Their Nutritional Breakdown