Doing good does you good
From a publication by The Mental Health Foundation
It’s often said that it’s better to give than receive but did you know that this is actually backed up by research?
The Mental Health Foundation have published a helpful booklet which you might want to consider distributing.
The booklet shows that helping others is actually beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress, improve emotional wellbeing and even benefit physical health.
The key benefits when we put other people’s needs before our own have been identified as follows:
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Helping others feels good. When you help others, it promotes positive physiological changes in the brain associated with happiness.
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Helping others improves social support
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Encourages us to lead a more physically active lifestyle
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Distracts us from our own problems
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Allows us to engage in a meaningful activity
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Improves our self-esteem and competence.
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It brings a sense of belonging and reduces isolation, especially as a volunteer.
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It helps to keep things in perspective - helping you realise how fortunate you are.
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It helps make the world a happier place – it’s contagious.
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The more you do for others, the more you do for yourself - there are long-term benefits
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Positive emotions reduce stress and boost our immune system, and in turn can protect us against disease.
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It helps get rid of negative feelings
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It can help us live longer. Studies of older people show that those who give support to others live longer than those who don’t.
The booklet then goes on to give some ideas and tips to get people started by looking in more detail at; volunteering, mentoring, doing something for a good cause, random acts of kindness.
Download the booklet here.
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From a publication by The Mental Health Foundation, 03/04/2017