This week we are focusing on investing time in others. After reading this excerpt, why not get a friend and begin brainstorming together how you can help your community?
Benefits from helping others:
- Increase happiness
- Increase a boost in a feel-good part of the brain
- Remind people that they relatively lucky
- Feel connected to others
- Feel needed and effective
- Take the mind off worries for a while
- Feel generous
- Add a sense of purpose and meaning to life
Tips on helping others
- Call a friend to see how she’s doing
- Cook a meal for the family
- Let a car merges in front
- Smile at a stranger in the street
- Hold the elevator door for others
Even though a small generosity might not have a big impact at the moment, many small generosities could make a big difference. However, people should be careful when others ask favors. Sometimes it is perfectly fine to say no to favors.
Ways to Volunteer:
- School or tutoring program
- Clean up a local park
- Work with immigrants
- Community events
- Volunteer as a coach
- Local hospital or clinic
Source: “8 benefits of helping others.” By Mykim Tran. http://www.examiner.com