5 Intrinsic Benefits of Helping Others

“If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” 

― Bob Hope, Famous comedian, vaudevillian, actor, and author

Helping others by donating your time, money, and effort is a great exercise of the heart. Studies have shown that reaching down and lifting people boosts health, happiness, and a state of well-being. Here are some of the ways that doing good to others can benefit an individual.

Here Are 5 Intrinsic Benefits of Helping Others

1. Great for the Heart’s Health

A study conducted in 2013 had found that there is a significant relationship between helping others and the heart’s health. The researchers had examined individuals over the age of 50 who volunteered in some activity for four hours in a week. It was found that people who volunteer are about 40 percent less likely to develop hypertension as compared to non-volunteers.

2. Less Stress and Tension

The act of helping others can also help reduce stress. One study that was conducted in 2010 had found that people who gave away money in charities had lower cortisol levels. The presence of this hormone in the body helps the body creates a feeling of anxiety, panic, and higher blood pressure levels. In contrast, people that gave less money in charities were found to have a higher level of the stress hormone in their body.

3. Emotional Satisfaction

Studies have also shown that the act of charity results in emotional well-being. The person that gives charity feels improved self-esteem. This gives a feeling of satisfaction to the individual. In a way giving to others allow the individual to create a ‘kindness bank account’. The more kind acts are filled in the account the better the emotional state of the person.

4. Provides a Sense of Purpose

Giving to others give a sense of purpose to the individuals. People that volunteer for a cause feel that their life is worthwhile that leads to a sense of satisfaction. This ultimately leads to improved physical and emotional health.

5. Helping Others Leads to More Happiness

According to a professor of psychology, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D, people that engage in acts of kindness are happier in general as compared to others. Acts of kindness carried out even once a week can lead to greater happiness and joy in life.

On a final note, the act of helping others offers great intrinsic rewards. By volunteering or giving charity, you are not only helping others but yourself as well. The more you help others the more happy you will feel from the inside. We would like to end the topic by the quote of Anne Frank - the little girl whose diary has been read by millions of people all over the world, “No one has ever become poor by giving.”