THE GIFT OF GIVING: Why helping and supporting others is good for us (PLUS infographic)
By Nadja Conaghan
There is a lot of talk about the power of asking for help and support – Brené Brown and Amanda Palmer being well-known advocates. Asking and getting support can help finding solutions and strategies, gaining a new perspective, finding relief in sharing thoughts and feelings, building stronger relationships, and feeling less stressed. [1]
But what about the person that gives support? What do you give the giver? [2]
# 1 It feels good to help others.
A small gesture can make a huge difference to someone in need. It feels good knowing that someone feels better and is no longer in need because of what you did and said. It makes us happy and feels good.
#2 It gives us purpose.
We all search for the meaning and purpose in life. Helping others in need gives our life purpose and meaning.
#3 We feel valued and needed.
We feel needed and valued giving back and helping others. Giving someone advice and support, sharing knowledge and experience makes us feel needed and that we add value to some which is good for our self-esteem.
#4 It strengthens relationships.
Someone being vulnerable and trusting us to help them strengthens our relationship with them. Going through hard times together and helping each other strengthens the bond. There is some truth to the saying a friend in need is a friend indeed.
#5 It reduces the feeling of stress and is good for our mental well-being.
Research shows that helping others is good for your mental well-being and dampens the effects of stress. [3] It gives your own suffering perspective and meaning by sharing with other our own experiences and strategies how you overcome and deal with your shared struggles. It helps to build resilience and be strong for others.
How can you support Others?
Share knowledge and experience, e.g. via mentoring or coaching.
Ask others if they are okay and offer help if needed.
Help others without expecting anything in return. An example of the pay it forward idea is paying for the coffee at a coffee shop for the next customer.
Give your time to others, e.g. by listening with compassion and volunteering.
Do something for others that is easy for you and inconvenient for them, e.g. picking up prints from the printer.
Download your free copy of the “The Gift of Giving“ infographic.
