Happiness Hack #19 – Help Others
Helping Others Makes You Happier
Being kind to others and volunteering makes you happier. Practicing acts of kindness releases serotonin into your brain, which makes you feel happier. People who observe an act of kindness also have serotonin released into their brain. So doing something nice not only makes you happier, it also brings happiness to anyone that happens to be watching. The key is actually wanting to help. Your motivation has to be an intrinsic desire to help someone rather than being focused on what you are going to get out it.
Caring does not have to be connected to an organized charity. Reaching out to a friend or someone at work or school also makes you happier. Giving to others releases endorphins, which provide us with a “helper’s high” similar to a “runner’s high”. The even better news is that even after the chemicals dissipate from our bodies, we still have a long term sense of well-being that can last for several months.
“The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.” Lao Tzu
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