It's often said that it's better to give than receive, but did you know that this is actually supported by research? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While many of us feel too stressed and busy to worry about helping others or say we'll focus on doing good deeds when we have more 'free time,' evidence shows that helping others is actually beneficial to the one's mental health and well-being. It can help reduce stress, improve emotional well-being and even benefit physical health one of the studies, published last year in the Journal of Social Psychology, asked participants to take a survey to measure life satisfaction, and then assigned all 86 participants to one of three groups. One group was asked to perform a daily act of kindness for the next 10 days also told to do something new every day during those 10 days. After 10 days, the researchers asked the participants to complete the life satisfaction survey again. Groups that practiced kindness and engaged in novel acts both experienced a significant – and roughly equal – increase in happiness; the third group did not become happier. The findings suggest that good deeds actually make people feel good, even if done in just 10 days, and that there may be particular benefits to varying our acts of kindness, as novelty also seems linked to happiness. Being kind to others has a positive effect on a person's health and well-being, both physically and emotionally. For example, when you help others, you promote positive physiological transformations in the brain associated with bliss. These impulses are often followed by longer periods of calm and can eventually lead to improved well-being. Helping others increases social support, inspires us to lead a more physically active lifestyle, distracts us from our problems, allows us to engage in a core activity, and improves our self-esteem and competence. Not only that, but it also brings a sense of belonging and reduces isolation through face-to-face activities like volunteering. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Showing and expressing kindness towards others helps keep things in perspective Many people don't realize the impact a different perspective can have on their outlook on life. Helping others in need, especially those who are less fortunate than you, can provide you with a real sense of perspective and make you realize how lucky you are, allowing you to stop focusing on what you feel you're missing, helping you achieve a more positive outlook. perspective on things that might be causing you stress.