Why is helping others important

Creating a bond with someone and helping that person improves your mental health. In addition, this social aspect reduces any feelings of anxiety and depression. When your head is in a better state, and you are surrounded by people who appreciate you, you can handle stress more efficiently.

Furthermore, you cultivate an appreciation for your life as you help others. Because you are exposed to someone else hardships, you become more grateful for what you have. As a result, you can handle stress better. Social connection is crucial for your overall well-being.

So when you understand the importance of helping others, you are able to strengthen your social ties which naturally improves your health. You might even be able to live longer. Typically, individuals think of exercising and eating better as ways to get healthy. But doing good deeds can actually have a significant impact on your health. In fact, recent research has shown that regular volunteer work lowers the risk of conditions like hypertension and chronic pain. In some cases, the risk for high blood pressure went down significantly.

Of course, there are many factors to consider. People who volunteer have more social interaction, feel less lonely, and have more activity in their day. But these results are all facilitated by helping others. There are so many ways to volunteer. Whether you try tutoring kids after school, volunteering as a sports coach, or serve food in a soup kitchen.

Research has shown that any of these activities can have a substantial effect on your longevity and body health. Volunteer work is a great way to prepare yourself for a future career. Not everyone will take advantage of this, but you can get valuable job experience as you help others. You might even meet with people in the field you are interested in. Really, you want to be able to help as many people as you can in your future career.

Volunteering is a great way to ensure this. For instance, pre-med students might volunteer at a hospital to prepare for a career as a doctor. This could help them down the road. Even if you already have a set career, volunteering can still be useful for your job. You get a chance to practice teamwork , communication, and other important workplace skills in a lower stress environment. Helping others results in better health and higher levels of happiness.

So why is it important? Here are ten reasons:. Humans start showing altruism at a young age. Scientists theorize that helping others ensured the survival of the human race. This long-standing mystery involves many types of researchers and scientists.

When studying altruism, researchers look beyond humans to the rest of the animal world. In one study, monkeys were offered food, but when they took it, it delivered an electric shock to another monkey. The monkeys began refusing food. In , a bottlenose dolphin led two beached whales to safety. What exactly is going on remains a subject of research. They were then given opportunities to donate their money to a food bank.

Donations were either voluntary or involuntary, so scientists could see the difference between giving willingly or being forced to give. Experts say that performing acts of kindness boosts your mood and ultimately makes you more optimistic and positive. Read more similar articles. Return to UCLcares homepage. Double click the feed URL above to edit.

Find out more about who we are and what we do. Tweets by UCLcares. Helping others feels good There is some evidence to suggest that when you help others, it can promote physiological changes in the brain linked with happiness. Studies have shown that there are mental and physical health benefits to serving, like reducing depression, lowering blood pressure and lengthening your lifespan. And perhaps the best benefit of service is the chance of that person paying it forward.

Your one act of kindness could have a major domino effect. First, you have to make helping others a priority. But, you do have the time. The second thing you need to do is simply love.