Harvest from Helper’s High

“We make a living by getting. We make a life by giving.” By Winston Churchill

Have you ever experienced Helper’s High? In the fiction “A Christmas Carol,” visits from three ghosts turned cold-hearted Ebenezer into a model of generosity. When he was finally willing to hug and to give to everyone he met, he was charged with euphoric helper’s high. Charles Dickens described such state of mind as “His own heart laughed and that was quite enough for him.” In the real world, helping others with your spare time, energy and money not only improves others’ lives, but also brings you unexpected therapeutic benefits. If you are hesitant about getting helper’s high, let scientific evidence encourage you to help others as a way to give it back to yourself.

Helper’s high is similar to runner’s high after an intensive workout. The release of endorphins in the helper’s body leads to a blissful feeling followed by a peaceful mind. He receives the second dose of helper’s high when he recalls the heroic act long after he completes it. What is more amazing is that the influence of charitable deeds can trigger positive physiological reaction in people. A Harvard study on “Mother Theresa Effect” found that students who watched videos of Mother Theresa helping the poor had their immune system response turn on. ABC News 20/20 revealed the stunning effects of helper’s high through the stories of Duke University Medical Center heart patients. With no particular agenda, recovering patients were asked to visit current heart patients to listen and offer support. It turned out that these patients’ recovery rate was 60 percent faster than those who chose not to help other patients.

Altruism brings you closer to others, gives you a purpose, and restores your psychological wellbeing. A study on patients with multiple sclerosis showed that those who provided peer support to other MS patients experienced noticeable change on confidence, self-awareness, self-esteem, and depression. Giving without expectation can easily make you feel good about yourself, your world, and life in general. Commonly experienced benefits fueled by helper’s high are:

• Relieve stress
• Strengthen immune system
• Alleviate physical pain
• Reduce incidence of negative attitudes like anger, hostility and aggression
• Activate positive emotions
• Gain social support
• Build a better community

Not sure where you can get started to induce helper’s high? Visit www.volunteermatch.org, a nonprofit organization’s website that allows you to choose a philanthropic organization that matches your interest. If you are short on time to volunteer, don’t worry. Take your parents out for dinner to find out how their day has been, you get the similar benefit.

When you get out to give your resources to others, you actually reap the fruits of altruism – better physical and psychological health.