THE ALTRUISM EFFECT

THE ALTRUISM EFFECT THE SCIENCE BEHIND DOING GOOD AND WHY IT MAKES US HAPPIER

FROM CHARITY WORK TO VOLUNTEERING, EVERYONE FEELS GOOD WHEN THEY’RE DOING GOOD. SOMETIMES WE DO IT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN A CAUSE, AND SOMETIMES GOING OUT OF OUR WAY TO HELP SOMEONE WHEN WE CAN SEE THEY NEED IT IS ENOUGH TO BOOST OUR MOODS. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALTRUISM IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE AND IT’S A PROVEN WAY TO MAKE YOURSELF HAPPIER.

kWRITTEN BY JANNA BRESLIN

Janna Breslin

is a well-known fitness model, certified personal trainer, health coach, and nutrition expert. She is the co-founder Complete Human (www.completehuman.com) the new multi-media platform that takes a deep dive into the areas of mind, body, soul, and planet while exploring what makes us who we are and what will make us better.

cience has proven acts of altruism make you happy and increase your overall wellFEATURE Sbeing particularly when you make it a habit. If you’ve thought about dedicating your life to helping others, there’s good news: it comes with several measurable health benefits and could even help you live longer.

Of course, true altruism is about helping others in a selfless way. If you’re only doing good deeds to get something in return, it probably won’t manifest in the happy life you’re envisioning. Here’s why doing good for other people (without expectations attached) is scientifically proven to make us happier.

One Step at a Time

Wanting the world to be a better place is a noble goal, one that requires us to act. Despite our good intentions, it’s easier to come up with reasons for putting acts of service on hold. Maybe you keep meaning to donate to your favorite charity, but it’s been a rough week and you’d rather spend your extra cash on a pizza. Perhaps procrastination has stopped you from volunteering at the local animal shelter? Before you get too down on yourself, there’s good news. Committing yourself to a life of altruism is only the first step toward happiness.

In fact, one study has shown merely contemplating a kind gesture can make you feel good. Follow through, and you’ll feel even better after the gesture is complete.

The study gave money to participants and told them to go shopping. Scientists told half of the participants to spend it on themselves, and others half to spend it on someone else. The scientists interviewed the participants beforehand to monitor their brain activity, then let the groups go shopping. What they found is the altruistic group associated their purchases with happiness, even though they weren’t buying for themselves.

Small Steps Reap Big Rewards

Even small acts of kindness are better than nothing at all. When we think of “good deeds,” many of us tend to picture major purchases or huge time commitments. Guilt can overshadow your good deeds if you’re convinced friends, family, and peers are more altruistic than you.

However, you can achieve the same level of happiness by doing something much smaller. Researchers from the study above found the amount spent on others didn’t matter the act of altruism was enough. Whether

the purchase was big or small, gift givers experienced the same levels of happiness. No matter how simple or small the gesture, taking the time to act with altruism was enough to give people a measurable, positive mood boost.

But What About Me?

What if you have ulterior motives? Does that tarnish your own happiness? Scientists from the study suggest they might. Altruism requires selflessness, that is, knowing our actions are for the benefit of others. If you expect something in return, it’s not a good deed. It’s transactional.

Acts of service should come from the kindness in our hearts, not from the motivation to get what we want. Sure, it’s nice to be praised and appreciated, but that shouldn’t be why you do good things. Don’t get caught up in returning favors or obsessing over how many social media likes you get for your good deeds. They defeat the purpose of doing good things for the sake of it and you won’t get the health and happiness benefits, either.

Getting Into the Altruism Habit

There’s no definitive answer to how long your altruism-related happiness will last, so don’t start

scheduling good deeds at specific intervals. However, there’s something to an altruistic “schedule” you should consider.

People who are kind to others on a regular basis experience greater well-being and enjoy physical health benefits such as lower blood pressure. In fact, some studies have revealed generosity can produce the same results as some medications. While acts of kindness aren’t a panacea for real health issues, they can lower stress, induce happiness and stimulate the release of good hormones all of which contribute to wellness.

Doing good deeds regularly correlates to a higher life expectancy, too. That happiness can reduce stress and protect you from developing chronic health problems. Remember, altruism isn’t a happiness vending machine, put good deed tokens in and happiness comes out, there are significant benefits to being a genuinely good person.

The lesson here is next time you’re feeling down, think about how you can brighten someone’s day. Sometimes taking care of others is the best way to take care of yourself. l

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