Lending a helping hand

The Greek philosopher Plato once said, "Happiness springs from doing good and helping others."

Almost 2,500 years later, research shows that Plato was correct — people who devote time to helping others are often happier than those who don't.

There are many ways lending a hand helps our minds and moods. One way is to turn our attention away from our own problems.

"Too much self-focused attention is linked with more negative thinking and a higher risk of anxiety and depression," says Robert Drozek, a psychotherapist with Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital who specializes in the use of ethics in psychotherapy. "But serving redirects our energy and helps us realize that we have something to offer people, and they sometimes need our help."

Serving others helps brain health in other ways, too. It increases social connections, which can protect against loneliness and depression, and improves executive function skills like planning, attention, and remembering tasks. And when you help others, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

You don't need to devote much time to reap these benefits. A study in the August 2020 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that older adults who did any kind of service work for two hours a week felt more optimistic and had a greater sense of purpose compared with those who performed no service.

How can you help yourself by helping others? Here are a few ways.

Volunteering

Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and an emotional boost as you support a cause or organization you believe in. You could also volunteer in professional fields or industries that match your life or work experience, like education, health care, or the arts.

"Volunteering in this way also offers opportunities to find structured and defined roles that fit your schedule, skills, and comfort levels," says Drozek.

You can even volunteer from home. For instance, thanks to computers, being a "virtual" volunteer is common. You can provide administrative, accounting, or marketing assistance via computer or video chat. Telephones are still crucial for volunteer work. For example, you can make calls to help raise money for nonprofits, answer a hotline, or make check-in calls to homebound adults.

Mentoring

Mentors share their knowledge, wisdom, and experience with people who need direction. Many times, this is a child or young adult.

A good place to begin is with a national program like Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America or the United Way. Also, many high schools, senior centers, churches, and faith-based organizations have mentoring opportunities. If you are more interested in sharing your professional expertise, contact your area Junior Achievement program or the local business community, or service clubs.

Random acts of kindness

Look for opportunities to serve others in daily life. For example, write to a friend saying you are thinking about them. Order takeout food for a neighbor. Send a gift in the mail. For an additional benefit, do the act anonymously, and don't tell anyone about it. "This further takes the focus away from you and your worries," says Drozek.

Different perspective

An indirect way to serve others is to see things from their point of view. When you interact with someone — whether a friend, acquaintance, or stranger — focus the interaction entirely on the other person. What is going on with them? What issues do they face? Are they in pain or feeling conflict?

Avoid injecting yourself — for instance, by describing how the same situation happened to you (unless they ask for feedback or advice).

"By lending an ear, you can provide emotional support they may need in that moment," says Drozek. "Even if the exchange is generic and friendly, placing emphasis on the other person can boost their mood, and in the process, yours, too."

Image: © KidStock/Blend Images LLC/Getty Images