helping others is the key to happiness essay

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The impact of helping others – a deep dive into the benefits of providing support to those in need.

Compassion is a virtue that ignites the flames of kindness and empathy in our hearts. It is an innate human quality that has the power to bring light into the lives of those in need. When we extend a helping hand to others, we not only uplift their spirits but also nourish our own souls. The act of kindness and compassion resonates in the depths of our being, reminding us of the interconnectedness and shared humanity we all possess.

In a world that can sometimes be filled with hardships and struggles, the power of compassion shines like a beacon of hope. It is through offering a listening ear, a comforting embrace, or a simple gesture of kindness that we can make a profound impact on someone else’s life. The ripple effect of compassion is endless, as the seeds of love and understanding we sow in others’ hearts continue to grow and flourish, spreading positivity and light wherever they go.

The Significance of Compassionate Acts

Compassionate acts have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver. When we extend a helping hand to others in need, we not only alleviate their suffering but also experience a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Compassion fosters a sense of connection and empathy, strengthening our bonds with others and creating a more caring and supportive community.

Moreover, compassionate acts have a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward and perpetuate kindness. One small act of compassion can set off a chain reaction of positive deeds, influencing the world in ways we may never fully realize. By showing compassion to others, we contribute to a more compassionate and understanding society, one that values empathy and kindness above all else.

Understanding the Impact

Helping others can have a profound impact not only on those receiving assistance but also on the individuals providing help. When we lend a hand to someone in need, we are not just offering material support; we are also showing compassion and empathy . This act of kindness can strengthen bonds between individuals and foster a sense of community .

Furthermore, helping others can boost our own well-being . Studies have shown that acts of kindness and generosity can reduce stress , improve mood , and enhance overall happiness . By giving back , we not only make a positive impact on the lives of others but also nourish our own souls .

Benefits of Helping Others

There are numerous benefits to helping others, both for the recipient and for the giver. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Increased feelings of happiness and fulfilment
• Improved mental health and well-being
• Building stronger connections and relationships with others
• Reduced stress levels and improved self-esteem
• Promoting a sense of purpose and meaning in life
• Contributing to a more compassionate and caring society

By helping others, we not only make a positive impact on the world around us but also experience personal growth and benefits that can enhance our overall happiness and well-being.

Empathy and Connection

Empathy plays a crucial role in our ability to connect with others and understand their experiences. When we practice empathy, we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and try to see the world from their perspective. This act of compassion allows us to build a connection based on understanding and mutual respect.

By cultivating empathy, we can bridge the gap between different individuals and communities, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity. Empathy helps us recognize the humanity in others, regardless of their background or circumstances, and promotes a culture of kindness and inclusivity.

Through empathy, we not only show compassion towards those in need but also create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and understood. It is through empathy that we can truly make a difference in the lives of others and build a more compassionate society.

Spreading Positivity Through Kindness

One of the most powerful ways to help others is by spreading positivity through acts of kindness. Kindness has the remarkable ability to brighten someone’s day, lift their spirits, and create a ripple effect of happiness in the world.

Simple gestures like giving a compliment, lending a helping hand, or sharing a smile can make a significant impact on someone’s life. These acts of kindness not only benefit the recipient but also bring a sense of fulfillment and joy to the giver.

When we choose to spread positivity through kindness, we contribute to building a more compassionate and caring society. By showing empathy and understanding towards others, we create a supportive environment where people feel valued and respected.

Kindness is contagious and has the power to inspire others to pay it forward, creating a chain reaction of goodwill and compassion. By incorporating acts of kindness into our daily lives, we can make a positive difference and help create a better world for all.

Creating a Ripple Effect

When we extend a helping hand to others, we set off a chain reaction that can have a profound impact on the world around us. Just like a stone thrown into a calm pond creates ripples that spread outward, our acts of compassion can touch the lives of many, inspiring them to do the same.

By showing kindness and empathy, we not only make a difference in the lives of those we help but also create a ripple effect that can lead to positive change in our communities and beyond. A small gesture of kindness can ignite a spark of hope in someone’s heart, motivating them to pay it forward and spread compassion to others.

Each act of generosity and care has the power to create a ripple effect that can ripple outwards, reaching far beyond our immediate circles. As more and more people join in this chain of kindness, the impact multiplies, creating a wave of positivity that can transform the world one small act of kindness at a time.

Building a Stronger Community

One of the key benefits of helping others is the positive impact it can have on building a stronger community. When individuals come together to support one another, whether it’s through acts of kindness, volunteering, or simply being there for someone in need, it fosters a sense of unity and connection. This sense of community helps to create a supportive and caring environment where people feel valued and respected.

By helping others, we also set an example for those around us, inspiring others to also lend a hand and contribute to the well-being of the community. This ripple effect can lead to a chain reaction of kindness and generosity that can ultimately make the community a better place for everyone.

Furthermore, when people feel supported and cared for by their community, they are more likely to be happier and healthier, both mentally and physically. This sense of belonging and connection can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, and can improve overall well-being.

In conclusion, building a stronger community through helping others is essential for creating a more positive and caring society. By coming together and supporting one another, we can create a community that is resilient, compassionate, and unified.

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New research shows that helping others may be the key to happiness.

By Lisa Farino Few of us are immune to the frustrations and challenges of daily life—family problems, conflicts at work, illness, stress over money. When we get depressed or anxious, experts may recommend medication and/or therapy. But a newly emerging school of thought suggests that a simple, age-old principle may be part of both the prevention and the cure: Help others to help yourself. There’s no shortage of research showing that people who give time, money, or support to others are more likely to be happy and satisfied with their lives—and less likely to be depressed. Could helping others be the key to weathering the inevitable storms of life? Feel-good research Carolyn Schwartz, a research professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, didn’t start out looking at the value of helping others. Instead, she wanted to see if receiving monthly peer-support phone calls from fellow multiple sclerosis sufferers would benefit others with the disease. But over time, a surprising trend emerged. While those receiving support appeared to gain some mild benefit, the real beneficiaries were those lending a supportive ear. In fact, those who offered support experienced dramatic improvements in their quality of life—several times more so than those they were helping. The benefits of giving aren’t limited to those who are ill. When Schwartz later looked at more than 2,000 mostly healthy Presbyterian church-goers across the nation, she found that those who helped others were significantly happier and less depressed than those who didn’t. This phenomenon is nothing new. Paul Wink and Michele Dillon found a similar pattern when they looked at data collected every decade on a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents beginning in the 1930s. Those who volunteered and engaged in other forms of giving when they were adolescents were much less likely to become depressed, even as they got older. New research suggests there may be a biochemical explanation for the positive emotions associated with doing good. In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, participants’ brains were monitored by MRI scans while they made decisions about donating part of their research payment to charitable organizations. When participants chose to donate money, the brain’s mesolimbic system was activated, the same part of the brain that’s activated in response to monetary rewards, sex, and other positive stimuli. Choosing to donate also activated the brain’s subgenual area, the part of the brain that produces feel-good chemicals, like oxytocin, that promote social bonding. Why doing good works These results may seem surprising, especially since our culture tends to associate happiness with getting something. Why should we humans be programmed to respond so positively to giving? “As Darwin noted, group selection played a strong rule in human evolution. If something like helping benefits the group, it will be associated with pleasure and happiness,” explains Stephen Post, Ph.D., a research professor of bioethics at Case Western Reserve University who co-authored the book Why Good Things Happen to Good Peoplewith Jill Neimark. While evolution may have primed us to feel good from giving, it may not be the only reason helping others makes us feel better. Since depression, anxiety, and stress involve a high degree of focus on the self, focusing on the needs of others literally helps shift our thinking. “When you’re experiencing compassion, benevolence, and kindness, they push aside the negative emotions,” says Post. “One of the best ways to overcome stress is to do something to help someone else.” Even better, feeling good and doing good can combine to create a positive feedback loop, where doing good helps us to feel good and feeling good also makes us more likely to do good. “Numerous studies have found that happy people are more helpful,” says Dr. David Myers, a social psychologist at Hope College and author of The Pursuit of Happiness. “Those who’ve just found money in a phone booth are more likely to help a passerby with dropped papers. Those who feel successful are more likely to volunteer as a tutor.” When giving isn’t good While doing good is generally good for the doer, Post stresses that there are two important caveats. First, the caregiver can’t be overwhelmed. There’s ample research showing negative mental and physical consequences for givers who are overburdened and stressed by their duties—or who do so much they don’t have time to have fun and take care of themselves. In addition, while helping others can be a great antidote to the mild depression, stress, and anxiety that is a normal part of the ups and downs daily life, Post emphasizes that it’s not a cure for severe depression. “If you are clinically depressed, you need professional help,” Post says. But for people who aren’t severely depressed and who give within their limits, helping others can bring joy and happiness—and better health and longevity too. Some people wonder if these positive benefits make helping others an ultimately selfish act. “If the warm glow and ‘helper’s high’ that people experience when they help others is selfish, then we need more of this kind of selfishness,” says Post. How to help others—and yourself Incorporating kindness into your daily life isn’t difficult. Here are five easy things you can do to help others—and yourself:

• Volunteer.  Research shows that people who volunteer just two hours per week (about 100 hours per year) have better physical health and are less depressed. To find volunteer opportunities in your area, visit Volunteer Match or contact your local church or school.
• Informally offer help to family, friends, and neighbors.  Lend a needed tool, bring dinner to someone who’s sick, feed pets for neighbors on vacation, or offer a ride to someone who lacks a car.
• Donate.  It doesn’t have to be a lot of money. Toss change into coffee cans at cash registers or support local organizations by buying a raffle ticket. Look for opportunities to give within your means. You’ll help make the world a better place and make yourself feel better too.
• Listen.  Sometimes all others need is someone to lend a sympathetic ear to make them feel heard, cared for and loved.
• Make other people (and yourself) smile.  The easiest way to make other people happy is to act happy yourself, even if it’s not how you feel. “Sometimes we can act ourselves into a way of thinking,” says Myers. “So like the old song says, ‘Put on a happy face.’ Talk as if you have self-esteem and are outgoing and optimistic. Going through the motions can awaken the emotions.”

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Becoming Minimalist

Own less. Live more.

Here’s the Science: Helping Others Is the Key to Happiness

Written by joshua becker · 11 Comments

When is the last time someone helped you? Was it carrying the groceries into the house? Or taking time to brainstorm solutions to a tricky situation? How did you feel after they helped you?

Now think of the last time you helped someone. Did you hold the door for a stranger at the store? Did you do a family member’s chore for them? Did you volunteer at the middle school dance? How did you feel afterward?

Helping others is a benefit to us. In fact, according to studies, helping others makes us even happier than when others help us.

Carolyn Schwartz, a research professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, was looking for ways to support those with multiple sclerosis. She arranged monthly peer-support phone calls, and was surprised to find that those who offered support were helped even more than those who received the support.

“A newly emerging school of thought suggests that a simple, age-old principle may be part of both the prevention and the cure: Help others to help yourself.”

In your search for meaning in life, helping others may be overlooked. But “kind and helpful behavior causes us to feel that our lives are meaningful .” 

When we think of things that matter and ask ourselves What really matters to me? we often keep ourselves at the center—it’s even in the question above: me .

But according to studies (and experience), when we look beyond me and begin asking what really matters, we find that helping others really matters . What may start out as a selfish pursuit—helping others so that I can feel better—will end up a selfless benefit, for everyone.

We feel good because we have helped someone else feel good. And it’s inevitable that we’ll want to do it again.

This feedback loop has been found in studies of helpful people.

“Since depression, anxiety, and stress involve a high degree of focus on the self, focusing on the needs of others literally helps shift our thinking. ‘When you’re experiencing compassion, benevolence, and kindness, they push aside the negative emotions,’ says Stephen Post, a research professor of bioethics at Case Western Reserve University. ‘One of the best ways to overcome stress is to do something to help someone else.’ Even better, feeling good and doing good can combine to create a positive feedback loop, where doing good helps us to feel good and feeling good also makes us more likely to do good.”

Additionally, when we direct our resources of time and money toward others, we begin to discover pursuits more valuable than accumulating material possessions.

Removing the trappings of possessions seems like a detour in the pursuit of helping others, but it’s more like a mathematical equation: (My money or time) – (material possessions and a full calendar) = external and internal resources to help others.

In a very real way, since helping others leads to happiness (and theirs), then reducing possessions and distractions can offer more opportunity for happiness.

You can read more about why this works, but if you want to jump to the benefits, here are a few ideas to get you started helping others.

1. Start small.

Give your place in line to someone at the grocery store. Shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk, or place their Sunday paper on their front stoop on a rainy day. Jump up to open the door, let the dog out, carry a package, or take out the trash for someone. Practice helping others every day.

2. Then move to helping others in larger ways, once a week if you can.

Buy a coffee or a grocery store gift card for the man without a home that you see every time you go to the local shopping center. Send an email to your child’s school staff, thanking them and cheering them on in their service to the students. Offer rides to people who need to get to the doctor or the store. Stop by a neighbor’s house to check in and ask if there is anything you can help them with.

3. As these things become second nature, try helping others as a lifestyle.

Volunteer a couple times a year at the soup kitchen—ladling soup, cleaning bathrooms, or raking leaves. Ask your local synagogue or church if there are any building or personnel needs you can fulfill a few times a year. Reach out to a nearby school to see if you can tutor students or run a coat drive.

Start by asking the question: “Can I help in any way?” That’s all it takes.

That, and a willingness to hear the answer and give your help. And happiness will be right around the corner.

May 29, 2022 at 6:07 AM

You’re helping me. Thank you. I agree wholeheartedly.

May 29, 2022 at 6:03 AM

May 28, 2022 at 7:33 PM

Ah Joshua, this is an interesting conundrum. It is easy to get into a mindset where the very act of giving/ volunteering complicates one’s own goals in achieving minimalism or simplicity. The tools of the girl scout trade, storing supplies, sourcing low-cost and meaningful activities and equipment, the time involved in planning weekly meetings and weekend/ week-long camps, the management of other volunteers, keeping in touch with parents, and taking care of other people’s children alongside a busy working and parenting life. Let’s not simplify the act of giving too much – it has a cost and also needs to be balanced, otherwise the act of giving in and of itself can become problematic. I appreciate the sentiment in this piece, but I find the assumption that readers do not already give more than they can afford demonstrates a gap in understanding.

May 30, 2022 at 3:00 PM

Minimalism has never been greatest goal in life. I’ve always dreamt bigger dreams than minimalism . If giving/helping others complicated minimalism in my life, I choose serving.

May 27, 2022 at 9:33 AM

David Brooks touched on this in his book “The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life.” The first half of our lives are often ego-centric. We chase money, recognition, possessions. But when we get to the top of our first mountain, the view isn’t that satisfying. So we climb down in search of our second mountain, which is how we become other-centric. We focus on helping others. And that’s where true happiness is found.

May 27, 2022 at 7:50 AM

Excellent article! I agree 100% with showing kindness and helping others. It brings me tremendous joy.

May 27, 2022 at 7:35 AM

I agree. I get so much joy, yes, joy, out of helping others in small ways all day long. And what is extraordinary is that when I reached the point where I do these small things without even thinking about it (because they have become second nature to me) they nurture my attitude even when I am not doing them.

One thing I have added is something that I am very excited about. I have ordered business cards that I intend to hand out to those working with the public, especially when they have had a bad encounter with said public. The cards say this: “Thank you! I wanted to let you know that I think you. are doing wonderfully at your job. Please always remember that it is only your actions and. your thoughts that matter in your life. And you are doing great today.” There is a picture of a bouquet of red roses on the front and I will tape a piece of candy to the back. I can hardly wait to get started because I am very tired of hearing that “someone needs to do something.” Yes, yes, someone does. Me.

May 31, 2022 at 10:21 AM

Lauren, I love your idea! It’s beautiful ~ you have a good heart!

May 27, 2022 at 7:25 AM

Find a way to volunteer around something you are passionate about and it will fill your heart. Animal shelters need lots of volunteers doing varied jobs, from walking dogs to office work. Find a shelter with a greater need if your local one has lots of volunteers! CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate ( for neglected and abused children) is a very special and important way to volunteer that can change a life! What we do is more important than what we have!

May 27, 2022 at 6:43 AM

Thank you for this gracious thought! So much today is about “me”. Jesus is our perfect example of stepping aside from ourselves and with His Love in our hearts, live for others….which also means taking care of self so that we have the anchor of His strength to reach out to any around us. May He help us to recognize our opportunities!

May 28, 2022 at 8:15 AM

Amen to that!

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The Key To Happiness, According To A Decades-Long Study

Sending a text to a friend can bring a smile to your face. Now, research suggests it could also help bring long-term health benefits. guoya/Getty Images hide caption

Sending a text to a friend can bring a smile to your face. Now, research suggests it could also help bring long-term health benefits.

If you could change one thing in your life to become a happier person — like your income, a job, your relationships or your health — what would make the biggest difference? That's the question Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Robert Waldinger has been attempting to answer through decades of research. He's the director of "the world's longest-running scientific study of happiness," and he spoke with Ari Shapiro about the factor that appears to make the biggest difference in people's lives. Waldinger is a co-author of The Good Life: Lessons from the world's longest scientific study of happiness . In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community. Email us at [email protected] .

This episode was produced by Lee Hale and Megan Lim. It was edited by William Troop and Christopher Intagliata. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

10 Keys to Happier Living

Everyone's path to happiness is different. based on the latest research, we have identified 10 keys to happier living that consistently tend to make life happier and more fulfilling. together they spell great dream., you can explore them all below..

Do kind things for others

If you want to feel good, doing good is a great place to start..

Helping and being kind not only contributes to the happiness of others, it can also help us to feel happier ourselves! [1] Studies have shown that when we do kind things it can literally gives our brain a boost, activating its ‘reward centres’ [2] and that feels good. It can take our minds off our own worries too. 

Giving and kindness also help us feel connected to others which is important for our wellbeing and contributes to building stronger communities and a happier society for everyone. [3]

There are lots of different ways we can give and  help others .

Every act of kindness counts

From small acts like a friendly smile, a few kind words, helping with bags, or offering up our seat, through to regular volunteering - there are lots of different ways we can give or be kind. We can of course donate money to good causes if we are able to and we can give in lots of non-financial ways too, such as giving a moment of attention, some of our time, knowledge, ideas, energy or support, or even sometimes by giving people the benefit of the doubt, instead of instantly judging them. Acts of kindness add up for our own and others wellbeing and all contribute to creating happier communities. [4]

Reflection: What’s a small act of kindness you could do today?

Helping others can boost happiness in many ways

Scientific studies show that helping others can contribute to our happiness in different ways. These include: experiencing more positive emotions and satisfaction with life [5]; increasing our sense of meaning [6], and boosting our self-confidence. It can reduce stress and help us feel calmer too. [7] Some studies have found that people who volunteered regularly were found to be more hopeful and experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety and may even live longer. [8]  Not all acts of helping boost how happy we feel – to maximise the benefits, it’s important that we’ve chosen if or how we help; we can see or sense that it will have a positive impact; and it helps us feel more connected to others. [9]

So if you want to feel good, find ways you can do good! 

Reflection: When was a time that you chose to give or help others that boosted how happy you felt? What contributed to that?

Everyone needs kindness

Giving and being kind can help us feel more connected to others and contribute to nurturing our relationships - and that’s good for wellbeing all round! [10] Our acts of kindness might be for family, friends, colleagues, or neighbours or even strangers. They could be old or young, nearby or far away. It could be a one-off spontaneous gesture or something we do regularly. It could be a compassionate response in a time of crisis or need or simply because it’s a nice thing to do. There are always ways to be kind.

Reflection: Who have you been kind to recently? Who has been kind to you?

Create kindness ripples

Studies have shown that when we do something kind both the recipient and other people who witness that kind act are more likely to be kind themselves. [11] So our kindnesses are amplified, contributing to a happier world! Expressing gratitude for help others give us also ripples out too. [12]

Reflection: Who can you thank for what they give to you?

Ask for help when you need it

Think about it - if helping others boosts happiness, asking for help when we need it could give the person we ask the opportunity for a feel good boost. It can also mean they are then more likely to ask for help when they need it. Certainly communities where people feel they can rely on others to help are happier and more resilient. [13] Asking for help builds connection - so it isn’t only for when we are struggling. We can also ask for help to share experiences, when we’d value support, or when we want to learn something new. 

Reflection: What’s something you’d like help with? Who can you ask?

Balancing your own needs and those of others

Helping is associated with increased happiness and health, but feeling obligated or overly burdened by it can be detrimental, [14] as can be the case for long-term carers. If you are a carer, taking care of your own wellbeing matters – for yourself and the people you are helping. Even small actions that give you a quick break or a boost can help you sustain your physical and psychological health and so your ability to continue caring for others.

Reflection:  What is an action you can take to maintain your own wellbeing, to help you sustain caring for others?

Sustainable giving

As a general rule, we can be more effective, regular givers if we find ways to help that we enjoy, which are in line with our own strengths and feel worthwhile or meaningful. If we are happier givers, the recipients will likely benefit more, and we are more likely to continue to give. Choosing how we help and give to others, giving in ways that boost our sense of social connection and in which we feel effective and impactful all matter in order to sustain giving and helping others. [15] Happier people tend to help others more, so taking care of your own wellbeing helps you sustain giving too. [16]

Reflection: What ways of helping others do you enjoy or find energising?

1 Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329. Aknin, L. B., Dunn, E. W., &; Norton, M. I. (2012). Happiness runs in a circular motion: Evidence for a positive feedback loop between prosocial spending and happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(2), 347-355.

2 Harbaugh, W. T., Mayr, U., &; Burghart, D. R. (2007). Neural responses to taxation and voluntary giving reveal motives for charitable donations. Science, 316(5831), 1622-1625.

3 Aknin, L. B., Whillans, A. V., Norton, M. I., & Dunn, E. W. (2019). Happiness and prosocial behavior: An evaluation of the evidence. World Happiness Report 2019, 67-86. Okabe-Miyamoto, K., &; Lyubomirsky, S. (2021). Social connection and well-being during COVID-19. World Happiness Report, 131-152.

4 Aknin, L. B., Whillans, A. V., Norton, M. I., & Dunn, E. W. (2019). Happiness and prosocial behavior: An evaluation of the evidence. World Happiness Report 2019, 67-86. Okabe-Miyamoto, K., &; Lyubomirsky, S. (2021). Social connection and well-being during COVID-19. World Happiness Report, 131-152.

5 Aknin, L. B., & Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.

6 What Works Centre for Wellbeing Briefing Paper (2020) Volunteer wellbeing: what works and who benefits? https://whatworkswellbeing.org/resources/volunteer-wellbeing-what-works-and-who-benefits/

7 Luks, A. A. (1988). Helper's high. Psychology Today, 22(10), 39.; Piliavin, J. (2003). Doing well by doing good: Benefits for the benefactor. In C. M. Keyes, J. Haidt, C. M. Keyes, J. Haidt (Eds.) , Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived (pp. 227-247). Washington, DC US: American Psychological Association.

8 Aknin, L. B., Whillans, A. V., Norton, M. I., & Dunn, E. W. (2019). Happiness and prosocial behavior: An evaluation of the evidence. World Happiness Report 2019, 67-86. Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., &; Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329. King, V. (2016) 10 Keys to Happier Living – A Practical Guide for Happiness. Hachette. Lyubomirsky, S, Sheldon, K M, &; Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111 - 131

9 Aknin, L. B., & Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; King, V. (2016) 10 Keys to Happier Living – A Practical Guide for Happiness. Hachette.

10 Aknin, L. B., & Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; Helliwell, J. F., Aknin, L. B., Shiplett, H., Huang, H., & Wang, S. (2017). Social capital and prosocial behaviour as sources of well-being. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper 23761

11 Jung, H., Seo, E., Han, E., Henderson, M. D., and Patall, E. A. (2020). Prosocial modeling: A meta-analytic review and synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 146(8), 635

12 Algoe, S. B., Dwyer, P. C., Younge, A., &; Oveis, C. (2020). A new perspective on the social functions of emotions: Gratitude and the witnessing effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 119(1), 40.

13 Aknin, L. B., & Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; Helliwell, J. F., Aknin, L. B., Shiplett, H., Huang, H., &; Wang, S. (2017). Social capital and prosocial behaviour as sources of well-being. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper 23761

14 Aknin, L. B., & Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34

15 Aknin, L. B., & Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; King, V. (2016) 10 Keys to Happier Living – A Practical Guide for Happiness. Hachette.

16 Aknin, L. B., Dunn, E. W., & Norton, M. I. (2012). Happiness runs in a circular motion: Evidence for a positive feedback loop between prosocial spending and happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(2), 347-355.

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No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted 

No-one can take away from you that which you have given

Gratitude is like breathing in – letting ourselves be touched by the goodness in others and in our world. Generosity is like breathing out – sensing our mutual belonging and offering our care. 

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Helping others makes us happier— but it matters how we do it - elizabeth dunn.

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One of the best ways to increase your own happiness is to help other people. This turns out to be a cultural universal— an aspect of human nature that scientists have detected around the world. But, giving to others doesn’t always make people happier. So, what are the factors that determine whether good deeds produce good feelings? Elizabeth Dunn shares how we can make a greater impact— and boost our own happiness along the way.

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What does it mean to help others (a definition), benefits of helping others, video: helping others makes us happier – but it matters how we do it​.

Helping Others: Psychology Research Studies

Examples of Helping Others

How to Help Others

• Random acts of kindness
• Community service
• Donating (food, blood, money, clothes, etc.)
• Letting people know they are appreciated
• Active listening
• Showing compassion
• Volunteering
• Mentoring or teaching
• Offering physical comfort (like a hug)
• Being patient
• Lending your voice to someone who is being ignored
• Giving compliments
• Giving advice when you can
• Sharing food

Helping Others in Need

• Help people impacted by a natural disaster.
• Help people who are homeless.
• Help refugees.

Helping Others Achieve Their Goals

Jobs Which Help Others

• Home health aide
• Personal trainer
• Firefighter
• Nutritionist
• Social worker
• Midwife ​

Helping Others - Tips for Kids

Video: helping others.

Celebrities Who Help Others

• Angelina Jolie
• Mylie Cyrus
• Emma Watson
• Selena Gomez
• Justin Bieber
• Nicki Minaj
• Dolly Parton

Quotes on Helping Others

• “To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own.” – Abraham Lincoln
• “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama
• “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.” – William Shakespeare
• “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” ― Barack Obama

Articles Related to Helping Others

• How to Be Kind: Examples, Tips, & List
• Altruism: Definition, Theory, & Examples
• ​ Selflessness: Definition, Examples, & Quotes ​​

Books Related to Helping Others​

• Bringing Out the Best in People: How to Enjoy Helping Others Excel ​
• The Compassionate Achiever: How Helping Others Fuels Success
• For Kids:  Helping Others: Good Manners and Character

Final Thoughts on Helping Others

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• Aknin, L. B., Whillans, A. V., Norton, M. I., & Dunn, E. W. (2019). Happiness and prosocial behavior: An evaluation of the evidence . World Happiness Report 2019 , 67-86.
• Allan, B. A., Duffy, R. D., & Collisson, B. (2018). Helping others increases meaningful work: Evidence from three experiments . Journal of Counseling Psychology , 65 (2), 155.
• Dailey, R., Romo, L., Myer, S., Thomas, C., Aggarwal, S., Nordby, K., ... & Dunn, C. (2018). The buddy benefit: Increasing the effectiveness of an employee-targeted weight-loss program . Journal of health communication , 23 (3), 272-280.
• Gebauer, J. E., Riketta, M., Broemer, P., & Maio, G. R. (2008). Pleasure and pressure based prosocial motivation: Divergent relations to subjective well-being . Journal of Research in Personality , 42 (2), 399-420.
• Hurlemann, R., & Marsh, N. (2016). New insights into the neuroscience of human altruism . Der Nervenarzt , 87 (11), 1131-1135.
• Moll, J., Krueger, F., Zahn, R., Pardini, M., de Oliveira-Souza, R., & Grafman, J. (2006). Human fronto–mesolimbic networks guide decisions about charitable donation . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 103 (42), 15623-15628.
• Post, S. G. (2014). Altruism, happiness, and health: It's good to be good . Positive Psychology in Behavioral Medicine , 66-76.
• Schwartz, C. E., & Sendor, R. M. (1999). Helping others helps oneself: response shift effects in peer support . Social science & medicine , 48 (11), 1563-1575.
• Solomon, D., Battistich, V., Watson, M., Schaps, E., & Lewis, C. (2000). A six-district study of educational change: Direct and mediated effects of the Child Development Project . Social Psychology of Education , 4 (1), 3-51
• Wang, Y., Ge, J., Zhang, H., Wang, H., & Xie, X. (2020). Altruistic behaviors relieve physical pain . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(2), 950-958. ​
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Altruism Articles & More

Can helping others help you find meaning in life, new research is finding that being kind and giving to others can make our lives feel more meaningful..

The idea that helping others is part of a meaningful life has been around for thousands of years. Aristotle wrote that finding happiness and fulfillment is achieved “by loving rather than in being loved.” According to the psychologist Carol Ryff, who reviewed the writings of numerous philosophers throughout history, relationships with others are “ a central feature of a positive, well-lived life .”

Yet today many of us seem to be struggling to find meaning by gathering up achievements, spending so much time at work that we’re cut off from other people.

Are we headed down the wrong path? New research is providing more and more evidence that kind and helpful behavior causes us to feel that our lives are meaningful, and discovering what we can do to reap those benefits.

Relationships and the meaningful life

Often, psychologists have distinguished between two types of well-being: hedonic well-being (a sense of happiness) and eudaimonic well-being (a sense of meaning and purpose). Although happiness and meaning overlap significantly, researchers suspected that helping others is especially crucial to developing a sense of meaning.

A recent study by Roy Baumeister at Florida State University sought to investigate this and other differences between happiness and meaning. In a survey of over 300 participants, the researchers looked for traits and behaviors that were related to happiness (but not meaningfulness) and vice versa. The researchers found that having strong social connections was important for both happiness and meaningfulness. However, helping others in need and identifying oneself as a “giver” in relationships were related to meaning alone. 

Baumeister points out that a meaningful life is different for everyone (since the cultural messages we have been exposed to can impact what we see as meaningful). However, the research on meaning in life points to one factor that appears to be important for all of us: developing high-quality relationships.

Does helping promote a sense of meaning?

But does behaving in a kind and helpful way (“prosocially”) actually cause us to feel that our lives have more meaning? While it may seem intuitive that helping others goes along with a meaningful life, it’s possible to imagine a variety of different explanations for this: Perhaps those who feel like their lives have meaning are more motivated to help others, or perhaps some other factor (for example, being religious) causes people to be helpful and experience more meaning in their life.

A recent article published in The Journal of Positive Psychology by Daryl Van Tongeren and his colleagues sought to examine this relationship. In a preliminary study, the researchers asked over 400 participants to report on how frequently they engage in different altruistic behaviors (such as volunteering) and how meaningful their life feels. Participants who were more altruistic reported a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.

More on Kindness

Practice kindness (and boost your sense of meaning in life) with these practices:

• Random Acts of Kindness : Feel happier by doing things for others.
• Feeling Connected : A writing exercise to foster connection and kindness.
• Loving-Kindness Meditation : Strengthen feelings of kindness and connection toward others.
• Reminders of Connectedness : A subtle way to induce kindness, particularly in kids.
• Encouraging Kindness in Kids : Praise kids in ways that make them more kind.

In a second study, the researchers sought to assess whether expressing gratitude , which is considered a prosocial emotion , could actually cause participants to report a greater sense of meaning. In this study, some participants wrote letters of gratitude to someone who had impacted their lives, while some participants wrote about other topics. The researchers found that participants who wrote gratitude letters subsequently reported that their lives were more meaningful than did other participants. Importantly, this study addresses the issue of causality; since participants were randomly assigned to write about gratitude or other topics, it appears that expressing a prosocial emotion actually increased their sense of purpose.

Why does helping make life more meaningful?

According to Van Tongeren, engaging in altruistic acts may allow us to find fulfillment because it improves our relationships. To test out this idea, the researchers asked participants about their prosocial behavior, meaning in life, and level of relationship satisfaction. They found that prosocial behavior and meaning in life were linked, and that relationship satisfaction—in other words, the quality of people’s relationships—partially accounted for that link.

Another factor that might come into play is detailed in a 2010 study published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology . According to this article, when we choose to engage in prosocial actions, it helps to meet our basic psychological needs: for autonomy (feeling that we have freely chosen our actions), competence (feeling that we are good and capable), and relatedness (feeling close to others).

In one study testing this idea, participants were either allowed to choose to give money to someone else in the study, or told by the researchers how much money to give. For participants who freely chose how much to give (although not for participants who were told how much to give), giving more money was related to higher well-being and to feeling that their psychological needs were met. Importantly, that feeling accounted for the link between giving and well-being, suggesting that giving may improve well-being because it helps us meet our psychological needs.

Taken together, these two studies suggest that helping others is beneficial because it fulfills basic human needs—and that altruism may be especially important for strengthening our relationships and connecting us with others.

How to increase your sense of meaning

The research described above suggests that giving helps us feel more connected to others, which imbues our lives with a sense of meaning. Do you want to live a more meaningful life? The suggestions below can help you take the first steps.

• Start small. You don’t need to begin with grand gestures; even small, everyday behaviors can have an impact on others and on your own sense of well-being. For example, in a study published in Science , spending just five dollars on someone else led to boosts in happiness. The Eliciting Altruism practice includes strategies for starting a habit of kindness and generosity, such as reminding yourself of your connections to others and identifying with individuals who may need your help.
• Make your helping count. It turns out that not all types of giving have the same effects on us. The Making Giving Feel Good practice offers strategies for how to help others in a way that boosts your own sense of happiness and well-being. In particular, helping others can be especially effective when you can see the specific impact that your actions have.
• Take time to thank others. As the research presented here has shown, expressing gratitude towards others can be a prosocial act, too. When others take time to do something nice for you, making them feel appreciated can help build your relationship with them and make your life more meaningful. This exercise offers suggestions for how to write a Gratitude Letter like the ones in Van Tongeren’s study.

Recent research has provided evidence to support the idea that helping others goes hand in hand with meaningfulness. It’s not just that people who have already found their purpose in life enjoy giving back. Instead, helping others can actually create the sense of meaning we’re seeking. Rather than ruminating on what makes our life worthwhile as we work toward burnout, we can find the answer outside ourselves, in human connection.

About the Author

Elizabeth Hopper

Elizabeth Hopper, Ph.D. , received her Ph.D. in psychology from UC Santa Barbara and currently works as a freelance science writer specializing in psychology and mental health.

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The Secret to Happiness Is Helping Others

• Jenny Santi

6 tips to living a life with purpose and meaning

There is a Chinese saying that goes: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested the same thing: Happiness is found in helping others.

For it is in giving that we receive — Saint Francis of Assisi The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity — Leo Tolstoy We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give — Winston Churchill Making money is a happiness; making other people happy is a superhappiness — Nobel Peace Prize receipient Muhammad Yunus Giving back is as good for you as it is for those you are helping, because giving gives you purpose. When you have a purpose-driven life, you’re a happier person — Goldie Hawn

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And so we learn early: It is better to give than to receive. The venerable aphorism is drummed into our heads from our first slice of a shared birthday cake. But is there a deeper truth behind the truism?

The resounding answer is yes. Scientific research provides compelling data to support the anecdotal evidence that giving is a powerful pathway to personal growth and lasting happiness. Through fMRI technology, we now know that giving activates the same parts of the brain that are stimulated by food and sex. Experiments show evidence that altruism is hardwired in the brain—and it’s pleasurable. Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful.

But it’s important to remember that giving doesn’t always f eel great. The opposite could very well be true: Giving can make us feel depleted and taken advantage of. Here are some tips to that will help you give not until it hurts, but until it feels great:

1. Find your passion

Our passion should be the foundation for our giving. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. It’s only natural that we will care about this and not so much about that, and that’s OK. It should not be simply a matter of choosing the right thing, but also a matter of choosing what is right for us.

2. Give your time

The gift of time is often more valuable to the receiver and more satisfying for the giver than the gift of money. We don’t all have the same amount of money, but we all do have time on our hands, and can give some of this time to help others—whether that means we devote our lifetimes to service, or just give a few hours each day or a few days a year.

3. Give to organizations with transparent aims and results

According to Harvard scientist Michael Norton, “Giving to a cause that specifies what they’re going to do with your money leads to more happiness than giving to an umbrella cause where you’re not so sure where your money is going.”

4. Find ways to integrate your interests and skills with the needs of others

“Selfless giving, in the absence of self-preservation instincts, easily becomes overwhelming,” says Adam Grant, author of Give & Take . It is important to be “otherish,” which he defines as being willing to give more than you receive, but still keeping your own interests in sight.

5. Be proactive, not reactive

We have all felt the dread that comes from being cajoled into giving, such as when friends ask us to donate to their fundraisers. In these cases, we are more likely to give to avoid humiliation rather than out of generosity and concern. This type of giving doesn’t lead to a warm glow feeling; more likely it will lead to resentment. Instead we should set aside time, think about our options, and find the best charity for our values.

6. Don’t be guilt-tripped into giving

I don’t want to discourage people from giving to good causes just because that doesn’t always cheer us up. If we gave only to get something back each time we gave, what a dreadful, opportunistic world this would be! Yet if we are feeling guilt-tripped into giving, chances are we will not be very committed over time to the cause.

The key is to find the approach that fits us. When we do, then the more we give, the more we stand to gain purpose, meaning and happiness—all of the things that we look for in life but are so hard to find.

Jenny Santi is a philanthropy advisor and author of The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories & Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving

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Helping others makes us happier -- but it matters how we do it

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The Secret To Happiness Is Helping Others : What Does Science Tell Us ?

Have you ever wondered what the eight billion people on the planet are looking for in their lives?

Have you ever taken a pause and asked yourself, “What am I doing all this for?

Why is everyone doing what they are doing?”

These might sound like deep philosophical questions that don’t have fixed answers.

But, when you go down the rabbit hole, you realize that they all have the same answer.

No matter what each of us is doing in our lives, we all essentially want the same thing.

And that’s happiness.

I mean, think about it.

If someone wants to earn a lot of money, why do you think that is? It’s probably because they want to live the life of their dreams, which ultimately makes them happy.

On the other hand, if someone wants to explore the entire planet, why do you think that is? It’s probably because exploring different cultures, places, cuisines, people, etc., makes them happy.

At the end of the day, all our struggles, all our desires, and all our pursuits seem to be aimed at the same goal – happiness.

This reminds me of a popular quote that is often attributed to the late John Lennon.

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”

The Key To Happiness – Helping Others

So, now that we have established that happiness is our constant and ultimate desire, the question arises, “How do you become happy?”

After all, we know that life can be really unkind to us at times.

We all know that life is full of challenges and failures, which can hamper our ability to be happy.

So, how do you keep your spirits up?

Well, truth be told, there are millions of ways you can make yourself happy.

From the smallest of things to the biggest, there is no dearth of things that will put a smile on your face.

But perhaps there is one way that we often don’t think about when it comes to making ourselves happy. And that is helping other people.

Some of the greatest people throughout history have said that helping others is a sure-shot way to feel much better.

For example, Confucius once said,

“He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.”

Another great example is a quote by H. Jackson Brown Jr.,

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

We’ve all had an experience where helping someone in need made us feel really warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Many people even get teary-eyed when they do so.

And yet, for some reason, helping others doesn’t even come to our minds when we are trying to figure out how to be happier!

Maybe, that’s because we have learned that happiness can only come from selfish goals and desires.

Whatever it is, you should always have a helping mindset because that’s what humanity is all about.

We are all together in this journey of life.

And by helping each other, we not only make other people’s lives easier, but we also feel genuinely happy about ourselves and our lives.

In fact, even scientific studies have proved this!

Science Confirms It – Help People To Be Happy

If you were wondering whether being helpful by nature can really make you happy, you are not alone.

It seems like even scientists have pondered this.

And many of them have conducted studies to see whether that’s possible.

In one such study , researchers hooked up participants to an fMRI machine to scan the various regions of their brains.

They were then given some money and asked what they would like to do with it. They could either keep it or donate it.

In some cases, the donation was made on their behalf.

In all three cases, it was observed that the participants’ pleasure-related centers in their brains were activated.

But what was really amazing was that the pleasure centers became more activated when they gave voluntarily. For reference, these centers also light up while eating one’s favorite food or while having sex.

This study shows that the act of giving might be hardwired in the brain. This explains the warm glow you feel when you help someone out.

And you definitely can’t deny that such acts make our lives more meaningful and fulfilling.

How You Can Enhance Your Happiness By Helping Others

So, now comes the question: how do you help others?

Do you just start living a completely selfless life where other people are always your top priority? Or do you try and create a balance between your goals and giving?

Well, the latter sounds the most logical, doesn’t it?

After all, you also have a life to live and dreams to fulfill.

And if you keep giving away all your time, money, and energy, you might soon start feeling resentful.

Yes, helping others too much can have the opposite effect at times.

With that in mind, let’s see how you can start giving to enhance your happiness.

1) Give Your Time

When it comes to giving, most people only think about giving away money.

While that can definitely help others, sometimes, what the other person needs is your time.

For example, if one of your cousins is feeling lonely due to a recent breakup, you could try and spend more time with them. You could show them that you are there for them if they need to talk. You could even offer to take them on a weekend getaway to make them feel better!

2) Combine Your Skills With The Needs of Others

There are millions of people you could help.

But how about matching the needs of others with your skills and interests?

For example, you can offer your talents as services in return for a small fee. Say, writing articles for a local charity. In this case, you would be giving much more than you receive. So, not only will you be able to help other people, but you would also be able to look after your interests.

3) Donate Money To Transparent Organizations

If you do want to donate your money, give it to organizations that are genuinely doing good for the community.

It pains me to say this, but there are many shady people trying to loot others in the name of charity. So, make sure you do your research before giving out any money.

4) Do Small Acts of Kindness

Helping people doesn’t always have to be about big gestures.

Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter more.

Even such tiny acts can make you happy. So, hold the door at a store for elderly people, give a homeless person something to eat, give an unexpected compliment to a friend, let someone cut in front of you in line, let someone else take that parking spot, and so on!

5) Be Kind To People

Kindness costs you nothing.

And yet, it can make a world of difference in other people’s lives.

Imagine a barista having a really bad day and then you talk to them kindly and appreciate them for their effort. Your words could actually turn their whole day around!

The same goes for everybody else. Your parents, siblings, teachers, colleagues, friends, etc., could all use more kindness from your side.

6) Donate Unused Items

We all have tons and tons of stuff in our homes that we never use.

And yet, for some reason, we keep hoarding them!

If you take the time to go through your stuff, you will realize that you could donate a lot of it. This would not only help you declutter but it would also make a difference in other people’s lives.

7) Donate Blood

This is an important one, especially if you happen to have a rare blood type.

Your regular donations could literally save lives. And you are not harmed in any way whatsoever! Imagine living with the knowledge that your good deed is helping so many people and their loved ones.

How Helping Others Makes You Happy

Finally, let’s understand what is it about helping other people that gives rise to that warm glow inside you.

There could be various reasons for this. Let’s take a look.

1) It Builds Gratitude

When you help others, you might be reminded of how truly blessed you are.

You realize that you have so many things that other people can only dream of.

This creates a sense of gratitude in your heart.

With a smile on your face, you can’t help but thank the universe for giving you everything you have and also the opportunity to make a positive change in other people’s lives.

2) It Boosts Self-Esteem

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

When you help others, you feel good about yourself. Your sense of self-worth increases. And you get a feeling that you are indeed a valuable member of society.

This is why it is said that if you are suffering from depression or lack of self-esteem, you should actively try and do some selfless deeds.

As mentioned above, this activates the pleasure centers in your brain and you end up feeling much better about your life.

3) It Enhances Human Connection

Let’s face it.

Human connection is on the decline in our modern world.

With the rise of social media and other digital technologies, our real-life interactions and connections are deteriorating.

This obviously makes you feel miserable.

However, if you dedicate some portion of your time to helping others, this can be reversed. You get to meet people and hear their stories. You get to have meaningful conversations. And you also feel like you are reconnecting to the human race itself.

4) It Can Transform You Into A Better Person

Giving is a positive act.

It makes a real change in other people’s lives.

Making this a big part of who you are can transform you into a much better person. It can make you aware of the ground reality of the world. It can remind you that there is no use running after endless or superficial dreams because those do not bring true happiness to you.

You also start living a more selfless life. This change in perspective and behavior can transform you into a much better version of yourself.

And when you grow old and look back at your life, you will be proud of what you managed to accomplish in your life.

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Why Other People Are the Key to Our Happiness

Best friend or barista, research shows how our interactions affect our outlook..

Posted July 22, 2014

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It is no surprise that social interactions can be a great source of happiness . A holiday spent with close friends and family is not only enjoyable in the moment, but also a source of wonderful memories for years to come. And being in a great romantic relationship is uplifting.

But what about the large number of other people with whom you interact each day—the cashier at the supermarket who smiles and tells you to have a great day; the colleague you pass in the hall who nods as you walk by; the friend of a friend you chat with for a minute about a TV show. Do those interactions also make you happier?

In the 1970s, sociologist Mark Granovetter looked at the structure of people’s social networks. His work suggests that you can loosely characterize people’s contacts into strong ties and weak ties . Strong ties are the bonds among family, friends, and close work colleagues. Weak ties involve the people you see only on occasion. You do not have particularly deep or regular contact with your weak ties.

Research in business suggests that weak ties are extremely important for passing information across groups. For example, a company may have lots of pockets of people who work closely together. The members of this group share information extensively with each other. But that information can only flow from one group to another through weak ties in which one member of the group shares it with someone primarily connected to a different group within the company.

So, can weak ties contribute to your happiness?

This question was explored in a paper by Gillian Sandstrom and Elizabeth Dunn published in the July, 2014 issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin .

In one study, 53 adults over the age of 25 were given two clickers. On six different days, participants counted the number of people they interacted with that day using the clickers. They used one clicker for people with whom they had a close relationship (strong ties) and the other for people with whom they had a more distant relationship (weak ties). On each day, participants also rated their well-being and their sense of belonging to a community. Participants also filled out a personality inventory, because basic personality characteristics are also related to people’s well-being. All of the analyses were done ensuring that the results could not just be predicted from the basic personality characteristics.

On average, people interacted with 6.7 strong ties and 11.4 weak ties in a day. One way you might think to analyze these data is to see whether the number of interactions predicts happiness overall. Interestingly, though, differences in happiness between people were not that strongly predicted by the overall number of interactions they had.

However, the number of interactions people had did predict day-to-day differences in sense of belonging and happiness. Strong ties were particularly important. On days when people interacted many times with their strong ties, they reported that they were happier and felt more like they belonged to the community than when they interacted fewer times with their strong ties. In this sample, interactions with weak ties predicted people’s sense of belongingness, but only weakly predicted happiness. That is, more interactions with acquaintances increased people’s sense that they belonged to a community, but had only a weak relationship to their overall happiness.

A second study with the same method examined 58 first-year college students. They also kept track of their interactions using clickers. You might expect the results with this group to be stronger, because first-year college students are just starting to form a new set of relationships.

In this study, the number of interactions with both strong and weak ties was related to the students’ sense of belongingness overall. So, those students who interacted with a lot of people were happier and felt a greater sense that they belonged to the college community than those who interacted with only a few people.

In addition, on days when people interacted with both their close friends and their acquaintances, they were happier than on days when they interacted less often with their close friends and their acquaintances.

What does all of this mean?

The interactions we have with other people affect the way we feel about life. Our close relationships keep us grounded and influence both happiness and the sense that we are part of a larger community. Interestingly, even our interactions with people we do not know that well give us a sense that we are part of that larger community. When we are first introduced to that community, those interactions and that feeling of belonging also increase our happiness.

So, smile at people when you walk down the street. You just might be helping to make someone’s day.

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Art Markman, Ph.D. , is a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas whose research spans a range of topics in the way people think.

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Helping Others Could Boosts Happiness

A new study suggests that kindness and generosity may increase happiness..

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What makes you happy? You may want to answer that spending time with your family, taking a vacation or driving a new sports car makes you happy but the key to happiness may be altruism. Helping others may actually boost your happiness.

According to Time Magazine , the greatest thinkers in the world have suggested that true happiness is found in helping others and now there is scientific research from a team of psychologists at the University of Missouri-Columbia to prove it.

While Americans are guaranteed the pursuit of happiness in their Declaration of Independence, it is usually referring to individual rights and is self-serving. The researchers led by Liudmila Titova and Kennon Sheldon looked at whether pursuing happiness for others will actually make people happier. They found that it does.

Two experiments were conducted by the team, according to Psychology Today .   In the first experiment asked participants to recall a time that they tried to make themselves or another person happy. They were asked to write about the event and rate how happy it made them feel.

In the second experiment, they were asked to remember a time they tried to make someone else happy and also write about how it made them feel. This experiment elicited a higher rate of happiness than the first.

“The results of these studies extend findings from previous research by showing that people derive boosted personal happiness from attempts to make other people happy — an approach that might seem counterintuitive for a lot of people at first,” researchers wrote in the study.

But how does the research translate into real life? How can people help others in constructive ways that will benefit them without making you feel used or being taken advantage of? Here are some helpful tips.

First, according to Time Magazine, find your passion. Give to people or causes that move you and share your values. If you don’t have extra funds to contribute, you can give your time. Read to children at the library or virtually, or volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen. If you love animals, help out at a pet adoption day or spend time with shelter pets.

If you are donating money, make sure that the organizations aim and actions are transparent. “Giving to a cause that specifies what they’re going to do with your money leads to more happiness than giving to an umbrella cause where you’re not so sure where your money is going,” Harvard scientist Michael Norton told Time Magazine.

Whatever you do, the key is to find an approach that works for you and let it come naturally. Remember that boosting happiness is a benefit of helping others and not the goal.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 7 Ways to Feel Happier Creating Your Ultimate Recipe for Happiness 6 Scientific Ways to Increase Your Happiness

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Can helping others make you feel happy?

As people, we have an innate desire to help others and a desire to be of use and service in some way. Whether it’s offering a helping hand to our friends and family, neighbour, donating to a charitable cause, or volunteering our time to a worthy organisation, there can be satisfaction in doing good for others. Perhaps there is some happiness that can be found in service to others.

When we help others, we can experience sensations of satisfaction and happiness and the act of giving releases endorphins in the brain, which are the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. These endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to the feeling of pleasure that comes from exercise and laughter.

Helping others can potentially also reduce stress and improve your overall sense of well-being. When you focus on the needs of others, you take the focus off yourself and your own problems, which can be a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. In fact, studies have found that people who volunteer regularly have lower rates of depression and live longer, healthier lives.

Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. Mayo Clinic

Additionally, helping others can boost your self-esteem and sense of purpose. When you feel like you’re making a difference in someone else’s life, it can give you a sense of accomplishment and meaning. This can be particularly important for you if you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation, or low self-worth. It can also be powerful if you are feeling like you have no important or useful purpose to anyone.

However, not all acts of helping are created equal when it comes to happiness. The most fulfilling acts of giving are those that are done selflessly, without the expectation of receiving anything in return. In fact, studies have shown that people who give with the expectation of receiving something in return, such as recognition or praise, experience less happiness and satisfaction than those who give simply to help others.

There are many ways for you to contribute and help, from volunteering at a local organisation, to donating money or goods to a worthy cause, to simply being there for a friend or loved one in need. The key is to find something that resonates with your values, and to approach it with an openness and a selflessness.

Helping others can contribute to your happiness. By giving of yourself, you not only make a difference in the lives of others, but you also experience a sense of joy, purpose, and fulfilment that is hard to come by in other ways. Often, the road to happiness is just as much about helping others as it is about helping yourself find happiness.

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Find Happiness in Helping Others

Happiness is found in helping others.  Despite the self-help messages so prevalent today, life is not all about your happiness.  For many people this is hard to hear. It’s not the uplifting message they’re looking for, but it is true nonetheless.  Current culture makes it very easy to think that our own happiness is the main goal and the most important pursuit.  However, to the contrary, life is about serving others and caring about the good of those around us. 

I was asked recently what one piece of advice I would give to the youth today.  My response was, “Look beyond yourself”.   Kids, teens and millennials are growing up in a very self-focused and egocentric culture.  Much of their social life and free time centers around cameras, selfies and image projection.  They’re being raised in a world of digital photos, social media and video calls.  Everything seems to be recorded and documented. 

I am not blaming them or suggesting that they choose this scenario, in fact my own teenage kids would rather have most of that go away.  I also admit that I’m guilty of participating in this egocentric culture too and can easily fall victim to this mentality.  We don’t choose the culture around us but we do choose how we react to it.

Look Beyond Yourself

If we can make an effort to shift the focus away from ourselves and our circumstances, we often find more joy.  Why does this happen?  It happens because when we focus on others, our problems, needs and wants stop taking center stage in our life.  We realize that we are not alone in our trials. We start to see the needs of others and recognize the bigger picture.

Looking beyond yourself is why it’s important to not be isolated.  The more people we talk to and get to know, they more stories we learn.  I know people who are so isolated from others that the issues of their world become all-consuming.  On the other hand, the people I know who spend time listening to others, getting involved in the lives of those around them and using their time to help people are happier. 

There are many ways to look beyond yourself.  Getting to know others, making an effort to show interest and be involved in your community, educating yourself about an issue you are passionate about and exploring how you can make a difference. All of these things will help take the focus away from yourself.

The happiest people are those who do the most for others. Booker T. Washington

People seem to be more energized and fulfilled when they are making a difference for others.  They realize that they are not the most important thing and that their happiness is not all that matters.  Ironic, isn’t it?  Finding happiness by not focusing on your own happiness?

Helping Others

It feels good to serve others.  We get a feeling of purpose and accomplishment knowing that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.  I think there is a built-in desire inside all of us to feel useful and purposeful.  If we don’t fulfill that desire, then we often feel an emptiness.

One of the easiest ways to fulfill this purpose is to volunteer. Volunteer and service opportunities are everywhere.  The opportunities are not just in a third world country or on a mission trip (which are great and noble ways to serve) but also right in your own backyard!  Helping in our cities, tutoring kids in our schools, serving neighbors, etc.  There are so many ways to give and serve in an area that meets your passion. 

We all serve differently. You may have resources or talents that you can share with others.  Maybe you have the gift of organization for your kid’s school, their team or your neighborhood group.  Perhaps you have expertise and can advise on a committee or lend your skills.  If you don’t feel like you have money or a specific skill to share, then maybe time is the thing you give.  Often the sacrifice of time to listen and to talk is the most valuable service you could give.

Don’t let what you don’t have keep you from giving what you do have. Mark Batterson

Benefits of Helping Others

It builds resiliance.

When the world is not all about you, then it’s harder to become overwhelmed with your problems.  You gain a perspective that other people have needs too and that your issues are not unique.  You become inspired by the stories and lives of others and that makes you stronger to handle your own life.

We Gain Purpose

Having a sense of purpose has been shown again and again to increase our well-being by providing meaning. A meaningful life is a measure of happiness and contentment and research has found that giving to others can make our lives more meaningful (more on that here ). It’s hard to find meaning by gathering up personal accomplishments and focusing on our own good. Gaining a sense of purpose is a direct benefit of helping others.

We Build Connections

Helping others helps us build connections which are so essential for happiness. We need to be in relationships to find true joy. This means caring about others and taking the focus away from ourselves. It means not being isolated but, instead, getting involved in the lives of those around you. When we volunteer, give to others and even take time to listen to others, we are building connections.

Removes the Stigma of Asking for Help

The more we reach out to help others, the more comfortable we are asking for help ourselves. We see the gratitude and strength it takes to ask for and receive help. The stigma we feel in admitting out own needs decreases every time we help others. Asking for help is a good thing (read more here ) and it is one of the benefits we gain from helping others.

However you serve, I know you will find happiness in helping others.  Volunteering, being generous and having a service mindset and all ways to help others that will also bring you joy.

Challenge for this week:

Get out of your comfort zone and look for ways to help others. Seek opportunities to look beyond yourself….like starting a conversation with a stranger, reaching out to a neighbor or finding an area where you’d like to volunteer.

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