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Helping others is good for your health. It
is healthy to forget yourself on a regular basis and
concentrate on helping others. Volunteer to care for
someone, but limit it to the extent that you can
handle without taxing yourself. A study which
involved 2,700 residents in Tecumseh, Michigan,
observed that residents who volunteered their time
for community organizations were two and a half
times less likely to die from any diseases compared
to those who did not volunteer. Helpers also
reported that they had fewer colds, headaches,
backaches, and even relief from the pain of chronic
diseases, such as ulcers, asthma,, arthritis and
lupus. In addition to fewer illnesses, a large
number of volunteers reported that they were eating
better and sleeping better since they started
volunteering time to their community.
Just by watching a film of Mother Teresa loving
and helping the dying children of Calcutta, viewers
experienced a temporary boost in immune system. True
well-being is achieved when we act on an honestly
felt compassion for others; helping may be as
important to our health as regular exercise and
proper nutrition.
Helpers experience pure Joy out of helping, a
"helper's high." In a national survey, conducted by
Allan Luks, involving 3,300 volunteers from all
fields, nearly 95% of the volunteers reported that
personal helping on a regular basis gives them
immediate pleasurable sensation. Helper's high
consists of physical and emotional sensations,
including a sudden warmth, a surge of energy,
excitement, and joy immediately after helping. The
sense of teamwork and connection with fellow helpers
is a powerful bonus in addition to the benefits of
performing good deeds.
"Helper's high" is often followed by feelings of
increased self worth, calm, and relaxation.
Such feelings last longer than the "helper's high".
Nearly 80% of those surveyed reported that the good
feelings would return, though in diminished
intensity, when the helping act was remembered. Nine
out of ten felt that they were healthier than others
of their age group. Volunteers, who later on get to
see and witness the personal reactions of the person
they are helping, are more likely to report helper's
high, increased self-esteem, and reduced signs of
stress.
Helping provides a healthy distraction. Focusing
on others takes us away, at least temporarily, from
the hassles of work, finances, or family troubles.
Let's not ignore the fact that we get a special kind
of attention from those we help. It makes us feel
that we matter to someone. Helping can also block
pain because our attention is shifted from personal
pain to helping others. Helping others improves our
outlook and enhances our sense of gratitude for what
we have.
In one survey, those who volunteered once a week
were ten times more likely to report good health
than those who were once-a-year helpers. A good rule
of thumb is to devote the same amount of time to
helping as one would give to other healthy habits
like exercise and meditation. Positive effects of
helping others were reported by people who only
volunteered two hours per week.
Helping because you have to can result in
increased stress and even illness. We do much better
when we help out of our free choice rather than out
of a sense of obligation or necessity. Helping
others can be an unbearable burden if you do it
alone, or if you feel unappreciated for your effort.
Instead of the helper's high and sense of
well-being, you may begin to feel sick or stressed
out. Watch out for feelings of being overwhelmed by
the needs of another person, which produce a sense
of helplessness, loss of control, resentment, guilt,
and stress. Pay attention to your own needs. Take a
break when you need it. Eat nutritious foods that
you like. Get adequate rest and exercise. Have fun
while helping others. Recognize your limits. Learn
to set boundaries on how much time you can spend and
when you can be available.
If you concentrate on whether your efforts will
truly change someone, you are setting yourself up
for a "helper's low" rather than a "helper's high."
Just focus on the act of helping and don't worry too
much about the outcome. Leave the outcome of your
efforts to the forces higher than yourself Look for
little opportunities to give without expecting
something in return, and you may get the full return
on your efforts.
By Vijai P. Sharma,
Ph. D -
www.mindpub.com
When searching the internet for a
information on people helping people I found this
article. I don't know if it all true or not
but helping others sure helps me feel better
sometimes.
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