Have you ever done something small to help someone and felt a great sense of happiness and relief afterwards? Maybe it was when you stood up and offered your seat to an elderly person on the bus, when you gave directions to someone who was lost on the street, or when you went to visit a sick friend... That wonderful 'good feeling' that comes to mind at that moment is not just a feeling. Did you know that there is a lot of science behind it? Today we are going to talk about it. Let's take a look at how helping others, which means being selfless, affects our bodies as well as our mood.
What is this 'helper's high'?
Simply put, doing good for others without expecting anything in return is called altruism. The happiness, satisfaction, and warm feeling we feel when we do something like this is called the 'helper's high'.
Just think, how much volunteer work some people do in their free time? It ranges from distributing food to the needy, to cleaning up the environment, to helping the elderly, to just doing something for their neighbors. So scientists started to look into this. Why do people do this? Is there a health benefit for the person receiving the help, as well as the person giving it? The latest research says, "Yes, absolutely."
The connection between kindness and our health
We all know that constant stress is not good for the body. When we feel stressed, our body responds by saying ``fight or flight''. At this time, hormones like ``cortisol'' are released, our heart rate increases, and our breathing becomes faster. This is not a problem for a short time. However, if this situation continues for a long time , our immune system , heart, and blood vessels begin to weaken.
This is where altruistic feelings become like a great 'medicine'. When we help others, when we show kindness, the positive feelings we feel control the negative physical reactions caused by that stress.
There have been several studies done on this.
- A study of women: A group of women were followed for 30 years. Surprisingly, more than how many children they had or their level of education, their lifespan was affected by whether they volunteered or not. Women who volunteered had a significantly lower risk of developing serious illnesses than those who did not.
- A study of older adults: Two other large studies have found that older adults who volunteer tend to live healthier and longer lives than those who don't. One study showed that volunteering was more likely to reduce the risk of premature death by 44% than exercising four days a week.
How are our brains and genes connected to this?
This 'good feeling' is not just something that arises in the mind. It has a biological basis.
Brain response
Scientists have found through scans like `fMRI` that when we experience deep emotions like compassion and kindness, specific parts of our brains become active. Just like when a mother looks at a picture of her own baby, the `(prefrontal lobe)` part of the brain becomes active. This is the part of our brain that is responsible for caring and building relationships . The happiness that comes from this is very different from the happiness that comes from a mechanical act like writing a check. It comes from really connecting with people, helping them with a smile, a warm voice, a pat on the shoulder.
The influence of hormones
The chemicals in our body, that is, hormones, are also largely involved in this.
| Hormone | Effect on the body |
|---|---|
| Oxytocin | This is called the 'bonding hormone'. It helps build trust between people, the bond between mother and child. When we help others, the secretion of this hormone increases and reduces our stress. |
| Dopamine | This is a 'feel-good chemical'. It makes us feel happy and satisfied. When we do something good, our brain produces this hormone, which motivates us to do more good things. |
| Endorphins | These are like natural painkillers produced by the body. They also contribute to the feeling of happiness that comes with exercise and when you do something good. |
Genes and longevity
The protective caps at the ends of our genes are called `(Telomeres)`. Think of it like the little plastic piece at the end of a shoelace. It stops the lace from wearing out. That's how `Telomeres` protect our genes. Long-term stress can shorten these `Telomeres` , which is a cause of premature aging and disease. But scientists believe that positive emotions like kindness and love help protect them.
Is this kindness something we inherit?
Humans are a social group of animals. Helping each other and living together was essential for our survival. Even Darwin said that "Benevolence" was more important to the survival of the human race than "Survival of the fittest."
And the environment we grow up in also has a big impact on this. Children who are well loved and cared for by their parents and adults as children are more likely to be compassionate and kind as adults. That care helps develop the parts of their brains that are related to compassion. If you are struggling with chronic stress, it is important to talk to your doctor about it.
So, helping someone else is not just a good thing for that person. It is a very valuable service you do for yourself. The mental happiness and physical well-being that comes from it are priceless.
Take-Home Message
- Helping others (altruism) is not just a good habit, it's an investment in your own physical and mental health .
- Acts of kindness reduce your body's levels of stress hormones like cortisol, improve heart health , and boost your immune system.
- When you help someone, you feel a sense of well-being and satisfaction due to the release of 'happy hormones' such as Oxytocin and Dopamine.
- Research has shown that volunteering and helping others can even help you live a longer and healthier life.
- One of the best ways to control negative emotions like anger, resentment, and jealousy in your heart is to do something positive for others.
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