Serving the Poor Will Change Your Life -- Dick S. Forbes I have been working with the homeless for a number years in downtown Atlanta. I try to describe to my friends the joy and benefits I have received from this work. I am always inviting folks to go with me. They ALL have the same response; they were so glad they did it. Well, I have come across some research that validates these benefits. Did you know that people who volunteer to serve the poor on a regular basis actually live longer, healthier lives? People who volunteer and serve the poor tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to the poor protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer giving and serving the poor have an impressive 44 percent lower likelihood of dying—and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status, and many more; it means that serving the poor is nearly as beneficial to our health as quitting smoking! We feel so good when we serve the poor because we get what researchers call a “helpers high,” or a distinct physical sensation associated with helping. About half of participants in one study report that they feel stronger and more energetic after helping others; many also reported feeling calmer and less depressed, with increased feelings of self-worth. This is probably a literal “high,” similar to a drug-induced high: for example, the act of serving the poor triggers the reward center in our brains that is responsible for dopamine-mediated euphoria. James Baraz and Shoshana Alexander, have published their research on the helpers high. Finally, serving the poor makes us happy. Serving the poor substantially reduces symptoms of depression; both helping others and receiving help is associated with lowered anxiety and depression. This may be especially true for kids. Adolescents who identify their primary motive as serving the poor are three times happier than those who lack such altruistic motivation. Similarly, teens who are serving are also happier and more active, involved, excited, and engaged than their less engaged counterparts. Generous behavior reduces adolescent depression, and several studies have shown that teenagers who serve are less likely to fail a subject in school, get pregnant, or abuse substances. Teens who serve also tend to be more socially competent and have higher self-esteem. If you want to change the world start by serving the poor, you will be glad you did because your world will begin to change. Dick is available to speak at your organization or church. Dick Forbes can be reached at 770.386.0608 or ForbesCounseling Email: [email protected]
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 20:11:29 +0000
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