Friday, March 4, 2016

Helping others helps you

Did you know that doing good deeds for others is good for your health? It's just plain good for many reasons, isn't it? We always feel better about ourselves when we can be of service to others and help someone in need.

A 2013 study showed that volunteering actually has a significant impact on blood pressure, making volunteers less likely to develop hypertension. Research also shows a link between giving, unselfishness and a lower risk of early death.

Then there's the "helper's high" that we feel after performing a good deed—when our brains release endorphins (feel-good chemicals). What's not to like about that kind of high?

People who do good in their workplaces are far happier at work, too, according to a study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And the BMC Public Health journal discovered, after a review of 40 studies, that volunteering is good for mental health, too.

So if you're already doing good things, keep it up—and stay healthy. And if you're not, it's easy enough to find ways to contribute to the happiness of others. So many volunteer opportunities exist plus there's always an opportunity or two for doing random acts of kindness.





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