It's Good for You!
Did you know that performing a "good deed" can be beneficial to your health? It can! There have been many scientific studies, which show that acts of kindness result in significant health benefits, both physically and mentally.
- A rush of euphoria, followed by a longer period of calm, after performing a kind act is often referred to as a "helper's high," involving physical sensations and the release of the body's natural painkillers, the endorphins. This initial rush is then followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being.
- Stress-related health problems improve after performing kind acts, helping reverse feelings of depression, supplying social contact, and decreasing feelings of hostility and isolation that can cause stress, overeating, ulcers, etc.
- Helping someone else can enhance our feelings of joyfulness, emotional resilience and vigor, and can reduce the unhealthy sense of isolation.
- A decrease in both the intensity and the awareness of physical pain can occur.
- The incidence of attitudes, such as chronic hostility, that negatively arouse and damage the body, is reduced.
- The health benefits and sense of well-being return for hours or even days whenever the helping act is remembered.
- An increased sense of self-worth, greater happiness, and optimism, as well as a decrease in feelings of helplessness and depression, is achieved.
- Adopting an altruistic lifestyle is a critical component of mental health.
- The practice of caring for strangers translates to immense immune and healing benefits.
Source: Luks, Allen, The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others. New York: IUniverse.com, 2001.
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