When you’re busy, stressed out or overwhelmed, you might get so caught up in your daily responsibilities that you forget to be compassionate toward others. Still, don’t forget that you can play a role in uplifting people and sharing the kindness you have to offer. With that in mind, here are six benefits of helping others.
1. Connect to Your Community
If you feel lonely, your well-being could start to suffer. Volunteering for a nonprofit organization or political campaign creates a sense of belonging to something larger than yourself. It can also help you forge long-lasting friendships, which are often hard to come by as an adult.
2. Gain a Sense of Purpose and Perspective
Studies show helping others enhances people’s overall sense of purpose and identity by making them feel rewarded and empowered. You can also get perspective by contributing to a cause you believe in – helping others who are less fortunate can increase your gratitude for everything you have.
3. Improve Your Outlook
American culture emphasizes the mindset that the best ways to feel happy are to earn as much money as possible and use it to buy more things. However, consumerism cannot provide a lasting sense of happiness and fulfillment. It won’t nurture your spirit the way helping others can. That’s because evolution has hard-wired altruism into humans as an essential survival mechanism. You’ll likely notice a boost in self-esteem when you make a selfless gesture.
4. Create Change in Someone Else’s Life
21st-century stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis have exacerbated existing mental health issues like trauma, anxiety, substance abuse and depression. You never know what difficulties a stranger might be going through. Even your close friends and family members could be struggling in silence. By helping others, you’ll provide a much-needed spark that lifts them up and gives them the motivation to start moving in a positive direction.
5. Kindness Is Contagious
When you do something helpful without expecting anything in return, you can inspire the people around you to follow in your footsteps. They may be more likely to pay it forward after they witness the caring generosity you’ve demonstrated through your words or deeds. In other words, you can start a chain reaction of kindness by helping others.
6. Improve Your Mental Well-Being
Doing good deeds will pay off by adding positivity to your life. Though signing up for a volunteer role or offering to mow a disabled neighbor’s yard will put more responsibilities on your plate, you will probably feel some of your burden lighten at the prospect of performing an act of love and charity. Using your time and talents to serve others will considerably boost your mood. In addition, the social aspect of helping people can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.
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