Why is supporting others important

Some studies have shown that children under the age of two report being happier when they give treats away rather than receiving treats themselves. Why is that? Look at these examples: Google was created to make searching the internet easier and faster, with better results. Gyms earn money by providing a place to exercise. Uber is trying to make on-demand car service better. Better health; it can make you live longer If you want to live longer, be a giver.

It lowers rates of depression and puts you in a better mood. Join 20, Monthly Readers. I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp more information. Get weekly strategies for motivation, travel and living life on your terms. Get free ebook 10 Ways to Travel Endlessly - the amazing methods that have already helped thousands travel faster, better and cheaper. Comments Adil Asif says:.

August 27, at am. ElizaT says:. December 31, at am. Mark says:. January 3, at pm. Robert Fenn says:. April 18, at pm. Helping others comes in all forms and shapes. From volunteering at shelters, donating money, to even helping a friend or family member out. These small acts can seem inconsequential. In reality, though, they create a ripple effect in your community. Kindness is not a stagnant force.

As an individual, the importance of helping others can be recognized when you see the impact that your kindness has on others. That single act can be powerful. People remember the positive impact you have and the nice things you do for them. This strengthens your social ties to others. It can even strengthen social ties within your community. This is not an exaggeration, but a simple fact. When you help others, you create a sense of trust between yourself and the person you help.

And if you do enough kind acts, you can even create a reputation for yourself. People will trust you more and look to you for guidance and support. They see that you are trying to create change. So think about this the next time you want to help someone. Happiness can be hard to find in modern society. It might feel great to earn more money, to have fun with friends, and to accomplish something for yourself.

But these are generally short-term methods of achieving happiness. Furthermore, you can better understand the importance of helping others when you are able to experience the lasting happiness from choosing to help others. Many studies have researched the effects of helping others. After repeated experiments, brain scans, and interviews, scientists have found that people can boost their own happiness when they act selflessly.

Aiding others can lead to lasting happiness and lifelong growth. Altruism, and any selfless act of help, is a basic part of your biology. It is a crucial mechanism for socializing and community building. This is because kindness helps you connect better with other humans. Clawing your way up the social ladder can seem like a great way to spend your life.

And maybe for some select individuals, this brings happiness. But for the majority of individuals, they want to feel like they are a part of something. Helping others affects brain chemistry. Scientists have documented the physiological changes that occur in the brain when someone sees the response to their altruistic behavior. A group of economists at the University of Zurich said they have found the sweet spot in the brain associated with altruistic behavior.

It appears that variations in the size and activity of a brain region known as the right temporoparietal junction dictates your ability to appreciate the perspectives of others, and it creates the possibility that stimulating it could allow almost anyone to enjoy the many benefits associated with altruistic behavior. The benefits associated with helping others can have limits.

When it's taken too far, it can actually cause harm. Pathological altruism can play a role in a broad variety of disorders. Researchers who make this argument take a zero sum approach to the issue. They argue that there is no such thing as a free lunch; there are always trade-offs.

People who may lead seemingly normal, altruistic, public lives can pay the price in their private ones. It is encouraging people to be themselves. It is caring about the minorities. It is about late night talks about life. It is listening to rants about everything. It is giving up time to help those in need. You may not know it, but people appreciate when you help them. It motivates them to be better people. Even after the person has finished a lollipop, they still have that sweet taste in their mouth.

Instead of being bitter, they now strive for sweetness. Before you know it, that person is now handing out lollipops to other people, just like you are.