Helping others can take several forms, and there are many ways to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

And not only can we make a difference for someone else, we may also find that we’re helping ourselves while doing so.

Let’s discuss helping others.

Helping Others

Why Is Helping Others Important?

Helping others improves social interaction, can distract people from their own problems, and improve self-esteem and competence.

Lending a helping hand to others often leads to increased social integration which allows people to lead more active lifestyles.

Why Do I Want To Help Everyone?

When we help others, our brains emit chemicals, often referred to as the happiness chemicals: Serotonin (produces intense feelings of wellbeing) Dopamine (intensifies motivation) and Oxytocin (increases a sense of connection to others).

Can It Help Depressed People To Help Others?

Doing nice things for people and focusing on the needs of others can help people with depression and anxiety feel better about themselves.

Why May Someone Not Want To Help Others?

If the emotional costs are considered too high, such as when individuals feel overly threatened, or insecure for offering help, they will be often less inclined to show helping behaviour.

When Should You Stop Helping Someone?

If assisting someone else is overtaxing your time, energy, or resources, it can be ok to stop.

Even if you agreed to do something, if the cost becomes too great, whether possibly financial or emotional, you can back out or adjust how much you can help.

Why Do I Always Refuse Help?

If you’re the kind of person who works hard to appear strong or independent, accepting help could make you feel vulnerable and conflict with your sense of self.

You might think that accepting help would make you weak or indicate a failure on your part.

How Can You Be A Better Person By Helping Others?

Helping others is thought to be one of the ways that we can create, maintain, and strengthen our social connections.

For example, volunteering and helping others can help us feel a sense of belonging, make new friends, and connect with our communities.

Ways To Help Others In Your Community

• Help your local food bank or pantry.
• Volunteer your time.
• Smile and be friendly.
• Donate something you don’t use.
• Stop to help a stranger in need.
• Comfort someone in grief.
• Check on neighbours and family members, especially those who are vulnerable.

Other Suggestions For Helping Others

Listen Actively: Sometimes people just need someone to listen. Practice active listening by giving your full attention, asking questions, and showing empathy.

Be Empathetic: Put yourself in the shoes of others to better understand their feelings and experiences. This helps you respond in a more compassionate and supportive manner.

Offer Your Time: Volunteering is a great way to help others. Whether it’s at a local community centre, hospital, or non-profit organization, your time can make a big difference.

Provide Emotional Support: Often, a kind word or a gesture of support can mean a lot to someone. Offer encouragement or comfort to those going through challenging times.

Share Your Skills: If you have specific skills or knowledge, consider sharing them with others. This might involve tutoring, mentoring, or teaching a workshop.

Be Kind and Respectful: Simple acts of kindness and respect can brighten somebody’s day. Treat others as you would like to be treated and be mindful of the impact of your words.

Final Thoughts

Remember that helping others doesn’t always require grand gestures, sometimes even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact.

The key is to be genuine and thoughtful with your efforts.

Thanks for reading, please comment or follow the links.

Sources and other reading:

Kindness Matters Guide

The Importance Of Family

How To Be More Patient

The Concept Of Human Nature

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