7 Benefits of Helping Others

There are simply endless opportunities that we have daily to help others. It feels good to us to help, and it feels great to the recipient, too! Scientific studies have shown that giving of our time, energy, or money greatly helps boost all of those feel-good chemicals our brains just love.

Here are seven real benefits – backed by science – of how contributing to the lives of other people can help us find peace.

1. 1. A Longer Life – If you want to enjoy a long, healthy life, start volunteering! Find out what kinds of things you can volunteer for at your childrens’ school, make scarves for the homeless, or help deliver food to those who are home-bound. Studies show that the people who contribute in these ways will actually lengthen their lives due to an increased ability to handle stress, a reduction in depression, and an increased immune system strength. The caveat is that you can’t just do it once – it needs to become a consistent part of your life in order to reap the health benefits.

1. 1. 2. Giving is Contagious – When you give to others of your time, energy, or money, it makes them want to “pay it forward” and give to others. It’s a chain reaction that has endless benefits for everyone involved!

1. 1. 3. It Just Feels Good – The simplest benefit of giving is that it just feels great to make other people happy! Alleviating someone’s sadness or loneliness by spending time with them alleviates our sadness and loneliness too. Helping feed others allows us to appreciate the blessings we have in our own lives. Something that feels this good can’t ever be bad!

1. 1. 4. Pain Relief – Chemicals such as dopamine have long been known to create pain reduction. The “feel good” part of volunteering means our brains are getting more dopamine, and that, in turn, can result in less pain for those experiencing chronic pain. So helping someone feel less pain also helps us feel less pain, too.

1. 1. 5. Decrease in Blood Pressure – Helping others has a significant effect on your blood pressure. So if you’re suffering from high blood pressure, you could seriously lower it by doing regular volunteer work. One study has shown an incredible 40% decrease in the risk of hypertension in older individuals just by being provided with more social opportunities.

1. 1. 6. Helping Young Adults – Sociologists agree that a teen that volunteers will have a healthier self-image, be more kind and compassionate, and even have better grades! 

1. 1. 7. Sense of Purpose – Are you feeling as if your days have no meaning? Volunteering will help return that sense of purpose to your life, and increase your sense of self, too. This is especially true in the case of major life transitions such as children growing up and leaving home, or retiring from work. Losing those pieces of your identity can be tough, but volunteering can give you a sense of who you are and what you believe in again. 

.

Don’t forget – The 2019 Global Gathering – Summer of Infinite Potential is right around the corner! Click here to learn more.

Share the image below to your Facebook Page.

Sign up for a free membership on PanacheDesai.com.

Please share it!
Subscribe to my podcast and YouTube channel, too!

Text