A surprising amount of recent research suggests that improving the lives of those around us actually improves our own health and happiness. Although people have long known that helping others makes them feel good, researchers have just lately discovered specific physiologic changes that take place when we offer a helping hand. These alterations include a “helper’s high” and intricate connections between the sympathetic and parasympathetic neural systems. According to research, those who volunteer have higher self-esteem than those who don’t. This particular benefit grows with time; the more frequently a person volunteers, the greater the rise in confidence and self-worth. We have a sense of empowerment and fulfilment as we assist others. We can also understand our places in the larger scheme of things. Helping others allows us to see firsthand the struggles they face. Observing these struggles can make us more optimistic about our own situations and encourage us to express thanks. We have chances to make new friends, engage with our communities, and spend time with our existing friends while helping others. Face-to-face interactions therefore lessen emotions of loneliness and isolation. In other words, people are more likely to act kindly towards others after witnessing kindness.
