When people are less focused on self and the problems of the self, there is a kind of alleviation of stress. There’s nothing like reaching out and contributing to the lives of others to give a person, first of all a sense of significance and purpose. The idea of the helper’s high has been around since the early 1990’s. Allen Lukes, a psychologist, had individuals going out and helping others in various ways, at low thresholds, a couple of hours of activity at a soup kitchen or helping down the block or whatever it might be. And about half of the individuals, and this is a kind of half full/half empty paradigm, reported a feeling of elation; a kind of emotional buoyancy, if you will. Forty-three percent reported a sense of warmth and tranquility. Certainly many of them reported a sense of significance and meaning in life. And interestingly, even 13 percent said they felt an alleviation of chronic aches and pains.
If you have 2:48m you can check it all here: http://bigthink.com/ideas/38045
I "practise" everyday and I am getting better at this "science"!
ReplyDeleteBut in my case, it brings me a lot of mixed feelings which range from compassion to anger to being grateful for what I have...quite weird, I know...but I always feel that there is SO much more I could have done or can do!
Interesting post though!