Sometimes we are so focused on the difficulties in our lives that we overlook the good, and this has a negative impact on our health and wellbeing. Over each of the next 21 days, record 3 unique things in your life that you appreciate. And/or, feel good by doing good!
Performing random acts of kindness not only brightens the day for others, it can have a positive effect on your own mental health and wellbeing. It can reduce stress, improve your mood, boost self-esteem, increase happiness and more! Ideas for things you can do to help others.
Goodnet's 7 Scientific Facts About the Benefit of Doing Good
1. Doing good decreases stress
In 2013 researchers found that adults over 50 who volunteered about four hours a week were 40 percent less likely than non-volunteers to have developed hypertension four years later. According to a 2010 study, the less money people gave away, the higher their cortisol levels
2. Doing good increases life-expectancy
Researchers from the University of Buffalo found a link between giving, unselfishness and a lower risk of early death. The findings show that subjects who gave tangible assistance to friends or family members reported being less stressed and, consequently, had reduced mortality.
3. Doing good make us feel better
Ever felt a sort of “rush” after performing a good deed? That sensation is known as "helper's high and is produced when your brain releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals of the brain. When you do something good for someone else, your brain’s pleasure centers light up, releasing endorphin and producing this high. Not to mention, doing good has also been known to generate feelings of satisfaction and gratitude.
4. Doing good makes us happier at work
According to a study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, altruists in the office are more likely to be committed to their work and less likely to quit their jobs. The researchers also found that individuals in their mid-30s who rated helping others in their work as important, reported they were happier with their life when surveyed 30 years later.
5. Doing good promotes mental health
After an extensive review of 40 studies on the effect of volunteering on general health and happiness, the BMC Public Health journal has concluded that volunteering is also good for mental health. The review found that, along with improved wellbeing and life satisfaction, volunteering is also linked to decreased depression.
6. Doing good leads to happiness
"People who engage in kind acts become happier over time.” It’s that simple, according to Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside. Lyubomirsky, who has studied happiness for over 20 years, found that performing positive acts once a week led to the most happiness.
In addition, Researcher Stephen Post of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that when we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly improved.
7. Doing good will motivate you to do good again
A 2012 study published in Psychological Science found that thinking about times you’ve helped others will make you want to help others again. The research found that reflecting on your past good deeds makes you feel selfless and want to help more, as compared to reflecting on the times others have helped you.
Don't stop here! Continue on with more best practices to Break UP to Better right HERE, right NOW! This program PLUS MORE included within one (1) annual membership to VIGOROOM where you can also find other do-it-yourself, self-help personal improvement offerings at no additional cost than what you pay here as part of our ‘break UP to better’ series, such as:
Compliment Others!
Mark Twain said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment!". Find more happiness in your own life and strengthen the habit of regularly "making someone's day" by giving sincere compliments over the course of this 21-day challenge.
Stop Complaining!
Over 21 days, you will become more aware of your attitude in general and specifically how often you complain. Can you go all day without complaining? Give it a try and see how you feel. At least your friends will appreciate it :)
Express Appreciation!
Being grateful and expressing gratitude are quite different, and both have positive effects on your health. This challenge invites you to hand-write and send or deliver a specified number of thank you notes over the next 21 days.