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Post Disclaimer
The information on this website is designed to offer self-care tips and recommendations based on evidence-based research and literature from professionals in each field. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific medical condition. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.
A natural response hardwired in everyone’s brain is the “helper’s high”—a sense of calmness and happiness that arises when we help others. Life can be challenging and filled with stress, and many people face increased mental difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, or ADHD. During tough times, actively seeking opportunities to perform acts of kindness is an innate way to cope with life’s difficulties.
Caring for others is self-care. When we engage in acts of care, our brain releases chemicals that enhance our mental and physical health. Everyone can experience these benefits by proactively serving their community or simply looking around you for an opportunity to act kind when you find yourself not doing so well. The neurological changes during volunteer work positively impact mental health and aid in the body’s healing processes.
In my new book, Self-Health Andragogy: A Self-Directed Learning Approach to Mental and Physical Self-Care, I discuss how service and volunteering induce neurological changes that improve well-being and provide a sense of purpose. I emphasize the importance of making volunteering a regular habit, akin to essential activities like eating, drinking, exercising, and sleeping 7-9 hours a night.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the health benefits of volunteering. One study showed consistent improvements in well-being among community volunteers. Another study highlighted the release of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—neurotransmitters that reduce mental health symptoms and enhance well-being—during acts of service. This phenomenon, often called the “helper’s high,” has been linked to increased longevity and better mental health outcomes.
The automatic release of these feel-good neurotransmitters when helping others is a deeply ingrained neurological response developed since early humans recognized the importance of tribal belonging. A 2008 study in the Journal of Anatomy explained how the brain evolves to ensure safety, learning that serving the community leads to acceptance and protection. This evolutionary adaptation—service to the tribe equating to connection, belonging, and safety—still exists in our brains today, rewarding us with dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin when we serve others.
So, how can you use this information to improve your well-being? Seek to experience the helper’s high daily! There are many ways to serve others. Websites like JustServe.org offer local volunteering opportunities, or you can help those around you who are in need. Small acts like opening a door, letting someone go ahead in line, or assisting someone struggling can make a big difference. Plan your day with acts of service in mind, and view them as essential. When you volunteer, reflect mindfully on your feelings and develop gratitude for the holistic benefits of your service.
