Humans have the ability to bounce back in the face of adversity. A study revealed that having a sense of purpose, giving a helping hand to the needy, impacts positively on our well being.
Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at Wharton and author of “Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success” feels that one of the best ways to tackle anxiety-related problems is generosity. It does not cost much to be generous. Whatever we give to a needy person ends up being beneficial to us in return.
Act of Donating increases secretions of feel-good hormones
The research has revealed that donating or just thinking about giving, releases feel-good secretions from the brain. The feel-good secretions are akin to the secretions released by the pleasures of food and sex. People who yearn to do good have lower levels of stress hormones.
There are many ways by which we can do good to the community. Even advising the distressed is one way of doing good. Simple acts like a phone call or giving advice evoke a beneficial effect on the giver. The study revealed this.
Helping helps
Studies conducted on 2,274 people at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago have interesting conclusions. They reveal that students who mentored juniors spent more time with their own homework. Overweight persons who counseled other obese people on weight reduction ended up becoming more motivated to lose weight themselves.
Moreover, doing good gives the donor a feeling of contentment and happiness. Above all, the Bible repeatedly emphasizes the basic Christian principle of lending.
Instead, you must be sure to open your hand to him and generously lend him whatever he needs. — Dt 15:8
In conclusion, currently, we have a golden opportunity to help the needy and distressed. Therefore, let us also pledge to use the occasion to increase our quota of good deeds. Feel free to comment and tell us how doing good makes you feel.
