From bringing a sense of belonging to making the world a happier place, there are plenty of benefits of helping others. Today we’re listing just a few.
Whether you’re undertaking volunteer work for an important cause, sharing a random act of kindness with a stranger, or just helping out a friend in need, helping others is one of the easiest ways to make a positive difference and bring a little bit of joy to someone’s day.
Small actions can have a profound effect, especially for those who need it most. So, next time you’re looking for a way to spread some joy and optimism, think of these incredible benefits of helping others and get out there and do some good.
- From bringing a sense of belonging to making the world a happier place, there are plenty of benefits of helping others. Today we’re listing just a few.
- Tell Me The Good News’s top tips for helping others:
- 10. You’ll have a more positive attitude – a chemical reaction
- 9. It helps keep things in perspective – makes you view your own problems differently
- 8. You’ll gain new skills – a great way to learn new things
- 7. You’ll make new friends and meet new people – combatting isolation
- 6. It can help combat depression – spreading joy
- 5. Kindness is contagious – the butterfly effect
- 4. You’ll have an increased sense of life satisfaction – seeing the positive impact
- 3. It can have positive effects in other areas of life – an increased passion for life
- 2. It has long-term health benefits – managing stress
- 1. You’ll have a profound effect on the world around you – change the world one small act of kindness at a time
- Other notable mentions
- Your questions answered about the benefits of helping others
Tell Me The Good News’s top tips for helping others:
- Research organisations in your area where you can volunteer, like food banks or an animal shelter, and choose the right one for you.
- Sometimes, just being a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen can be the best way to help someone in need.
- While it’s important to help others, always be respectful of boundaries, as we all handle things in different ways.
10. You’ll have a more positive attitude – a chemical reaction
Research suggests that completing random acts of kindness releases chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin, which play important roles in creating stronger bonds with others and boosting our mood.
Thus, one of the benefits of helping others regularly is that we’re hit with a neurochemical sense of reward that can go a long way in shifting our mental attitude to a positive one.
9. It helps keep things in perspective – makes you view your own problems differently
Putting in the effort to take a step back from your own emotions and focus on helping other people helps you view your own life and the world around you from a different perspective.
Whether you’re volunteering or being a listening ear for a friend in need, helping others can bring a sense of gratitude.
8. You’ll gain new skills – a great way to learn new things
Volunteering is a great way to get outside your comfort zone and learn new things. Whether you’re looking to improve your social skills or learn a new craft, doing something to help others is a great way to do it.
7. You’ll make new friends and meet new people – combatting isolation
There is no better way to connect with other people and build strong relationships than showing kindness and compassion to others.
Helping other people improves our social lives and social networks as we have the chance to connect with others who have common interests and hobbies.
6. It can help combat depression – spreading joy
Through creating a sense of purpose and belonging, giving us something to focus on, and altering the chemical balance of our brains, it is believed that showing kindness to others can actually help combat depression.
Not only will we enjoy wider support networks, but we will also get a boost from doing something good.
5. Kindness is contagious – the butterfly effect
Next up on our list of benefits of helping others is the wider impact of our actions.
Kindness is contagious, so when you do something nice for someone, they will likely feel compelled to pass on the kindness and do something nice for someone else, then that person may feel compelled to pass on the kindness, and so the ripple effect of our single act continues to have a positive impact.
4. You’ll have an increased sense of life satisfaction – seeing the positive impact
Knowing that you’re having a positive impact on the world around you will go a long way in helping you feel more satisfied with the life you’re living.
Doing good for others helps foster a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction, as we feel motivated to get up in the morning and share our light with the world.
3. It can have positive effects in other areas of life – an increased passion for life
Not only will doing good for others help us gain important skills that we can use in other areas of our lives, but it will also help us feel an increased sense of enthusiasm to make the most of what we have and the lives we’re living.
2. It has long-term health benefits – managing stress
High stress levels are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to poor health and premature death.
Studies suggest that helping others and having regular contact with others helps alleviate feelings such as stress and loneliness, both of which will go a long way in improving our overall health.
1. You’ll have a profound effect on the world around you – change the world one small act of kindness at a time
Topping our list of benefits of helping others is the impact you’ll have on the world around you. Sending out positivity will only have a positive impact, and whether it seems big or small, your kind acts will go a long way to changing the world for the better.
Other notable mentions
Cultivating gratitude: Volunteering and helping those most in need goes a long way in making us feel more gratitude for the lives we’re living.
Improve your personal and professional life: Showing kindness to others helps us gain new skills and have a more positive mental attitude, which can go a long way in improving our lives both at home and in the workplace.
Inspire creativity: Meeting new people, learning new things, and sending positivity out into the world can help us feel more inspired and creative.
Your questions answered about the benefits of helping others
In this section, we answer some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions about the benefits of helping others.
What are three ways you can help others?
You can volunteer for a good cause, offer a random act of kindness to a stranger, or be there for your loved ones when they need you.
What are the benefits of helping others even if you don’t get much help in return?
You are bringing joy into the world for those who need it most, and research suggests you will even benefit from various physical and mental health benefits when you choose to help others.
Can helping others make you happy?
Social psychology research suggests that helping others can lead to a greater sense of happiness and contentment, as various ‘happy’ chemicals are released, and you will enjoy a sense of accomplishment and community.
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