Why does helping others make you happy

Find your passion. Our passion should be the foundation for our giving. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.

It should not be simply a matter of choosing the right thing, but also a matter of choosing what is right for us. Give your time. The gift of time is often more valuable to the receiver and more satisfying for the giver than the gift of money. Give to organizations with transparent aims and results. Find ways to integrate your interests and skills with the needs of others.

Be proactive, not reactive. We have all felt the dread that comes from being cajoled into giving, such as when friends ask us to donate to their fundraisers. In these cases, we are more likely to give to avoid humiliation rather than out of generosity and concern. Instead we should set aside time, think about our options, and find the best charity for our values. If we gave only to get something back each time we gave, what a dreadful, opportunistic world this would be!

Yet if we are feeling guilt-tripped into giving, chances are we will not be very committed over time to the cause. The key is to find the approach that fits us. When we do, then the more we give, the more we stand to gain purpose, meaning and happiness—all of the things that we look for in life but are so hard to find.

Jenny Santi. For it is in giving that we receive — Saint Francis of Assisi The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity — Leo Tolstoy We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give — Winston Churchill Making money is a happiness; making other people happy is a superhappiness — Nobel Peace Prize receipient Muhammad Yunus Giving back is as good for you as it is for those you are helping, because giving gives you purpose.

Happiness Guide. All rights reserved. TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Consider donating some of your time to a cause you're passionate about.

People who volunteer have been found to have. Experts explain that as feelings of social connectedness increase, so does your self-esteem. The benefits of volunteering also depend on your consistency.

So, the more regularly you volunteer, the more confidence you'll be able to cultivate. When you help others, you give off positive vibes, which can rub off on your peers and improve your friendships, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health.

Both parties will contribute to maintaining a mutually beneficial dynamic. Having a positive impact on someone else could help you change your own outlook and attitude. Experts say that performing acts of kindness boosts your mood and ultimately makes you more. Helping someone out can leave you feeling rewarded and fulfilled. People who participate in volunteer work feel more.

Researchers also think that giving back might give individuals a mental boost by providing them with a neurochemical sense of reward. According to one study, people who suffered from chronic pain tried working as peer volunteers. As a result, they experienced a reduction in their own symptoms. However, you should also consider adding something to your routine: a regular volunteer schedule. One piece of research showed that older individuals who volunteered for at least hours a year decreased their risk of hypertension by a whopping 40 percent.

This could possibly be because they were provided with more social opportunities, which help relieve loneliness and the stress that often accompanies it. Looking for more meaning in your day-to-day existence?