As people, we have an innate desire to help others and a desire to be of use and service in some way. Whether it’s offering a helping hand to our friends and family, neighbour, donating to a charitable cause, or volunteering our time to a worthy organisation, there can be satisfaction in doing good for others. Perhaps there is some happiness that can be found in service to others.
When we help others, we can experience sensations of satisfaction and happiness and the act of giving releases endorphins in the brain, which are the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. These endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to the feeling of pleasure that comes from exercise and laughter.
Helping others can potentially also reduce stress and improve your overall sense of well-being. When you focus on the needs of others, you take the focus off yourself and your own problems, which can be a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. In fact, studies have found that people who volunteer regularly have lower rates of depression and live longer, healthier lives.
Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine.
Mayo Clinic
Additionally, helping others can boost your self-esteem and sense of purpose. When you feel like you’re making a difference in someone else’s life, it can give you a sense of accomplishment and meaning. This can be particularly important for you if you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation, or low self-worth. It can also be powerful if you are feeling like you have no important or useful purpose to anyone.
However, not all acts of helping are created equal when it comes to happiness. The most fulfilling acts of giving are those that are done selflessly, without the expectation of receiving anything in return. In fact, studies have shown that people who give with the expectation of receiving something in return, such as recognition or praise, experience less happiness and satisfaction than those who give simply to help others.
There are many ways for you to contribute and help, from volunteering at a local organisation, to donating money or goods to a worthy cause, to simply being there for a friend or loved one in need. The key is to find something that resonates with your values, and to approach it with an openness and a selflessness.
Helping others can contribute to your happiness. By giving of yourself, you not only make a difference in the lives of others, but you also experience a sense of joy, purpose, and fulfilment that is hard to come by in other ways. Often, the road to happiness is just as much about helping others as it is about helping yourself find happiness.
Join us at College of Allied Educators to learn more about how you can overcome your disappointments, fears, and setbacks. Take control of your life and find your success and happiness.
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology (PGDICP) is a counselling psychology course accredited by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC). The part-time Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology programme focuses on developing and enhancing experiential knowledge and skills through a holistic approach. Some of the subjects covered include Counselling Children, Addiction Intervention, Crisis Intervention, and Family Therapy. - ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY
Advanced Diploma in Counselling Psychology (ADICP) trains students to apply appropriate counselling skills in different situations while understanding their underlying theories. The ADICP programme introduces students to the nature of psychology and relates it to the theories and concepts of counselling. Students move on to explore themselves in order to promote personal growth and self-awareness, acquiring the key attributes of a competent counsellor and the proper methods of applying those skills. - DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY
Diploma in Counselling Psychology (DCPSY) is a counselling course covering a range of conceptual and functional skills in counselling. It trains students to apply appropriate counselling psychology skills in different situations, and equips students with the ability to work effectively as a counsellor.
For a FREE COURSE PREVIEW
CALL US at 6533-0031 EMAIL your enquiry to ENQUIRY@ICAE.EDU.SG
or Register for your free preview below: