Personal Development - Why Helping Others Is The Best Way To Help Yourself
We all want to be happy and healthy. If you’ve ever heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, you know that there are a lot of individual parts that need to come together in order for us to maintain a sense of inner peace.
It goes without saying, then, that if we take care of ourselves by caring for our needs and wants, we are more likely to be happy.
But what about everyone else? What about those who can’t take care of themselves? What about those who don’t have the same opportunities to make themselves happy?
When it comes to helping others, there are a lot of ways you can do that. And as it turns out, helping others is one of the best ways to improve your own mental health and well-being.
The issue is not how we help others — it’s whether or not we care about others. Most of us do. But when it comes to helping others, there are a lot of ways you can do that. And as it turns out, helping others is one of the best ways to improve your own mental health and well-being.
1. Helping Others Improves Your Mental Health and Well-Being
The unfortunate fact of the matter is that there are many who are suffering. And it’s largely because of things out of their control. Most of us don’t think about the homeless when we sit down for a meal, but let's face it, they are out there — and in need of our help.
The Foundation for Global Community reports that 1 in 7 Americans are living below the poverty line. And is it really surprising? In 2015 alone, more than 43 million people living in the United States were food insecure, according to Feeding America.
All this despite a country that boasts the highest per capita income and wealth in the world. This is a problem created by our political and social systems, not the homeless themselves. Poverty is one of most widely researched issues today. And research has shown that there is a definitive link between poverty and poor well-being.
“In the United States, nearly 45 million people are food insecure and will go hungry soon. These are people who now live in dignity and fullness in America, but will not be safe here when they need help the most.” — FAAN President Andrew Stober.
Studies have linked poverty to a multitude of physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. People who don't have enough money to eat will often go hungry. People who cannot afford the health care they need will not receive medical treatment. And those who are abused by a spouse or family member will turn to substance abuse for relief.
This is exactly why individuals like Ryan S. Adams are so passionate about ending world hunger — he knows how it affects people's lives and he knows how important it is to help others.
“My wife and I both believe that there is no greater moral failure than struggling to feed our own children. There is no greater moral failure than not being able to provide the daily necessities for your family. We want to be part of a movement that helps." — Ryan S. Adams, Founder of Feeding America.
Adams has been doing his part by partnering with Feeding America to fight hunger in our country. For instance, Ryan has been collecting supplies like milk, eggs, and more at grocery stores across the country. These supplies will go directly to people in need, allowing them to have adequate food.
Another way Ryan Adams has been able to help others is through his personal development blog, Life of Ryan. In addition to chronicling his personal experiences as a musician, Ryan also blogs about the many things he finds important in life and shares valuable lessons with anyone who is willing to listen.
2. Helping Others Is A Necessary Skill
It’s easy to think that being kind to others just comes naturally — but it doesn’t. It takes effort and motivation, especially when other people are stubborn and unwilling to change. There are times when we want to help out, but our hearts don’t seem to be in it. And that can be a huge problem. Consider the following story:
A man had been ill for several months and was contemplating suicide. He was tired of being tired and tired of being ill. One day a friend told him about a missionary who was going to India, and asked the man if he wanted to go with him. He decided he did.
On their way to India, they were involved in an automobile accident, which left them both injured. The missionary tended the man's injuries while his friend attended to his own injuries.
Soon after reaching India, they found themselves in a desperate situation.
Conclusion
For the man in the story, feeling grateful to his friend was a major part of his motivation. But there is a way to go about it that will help you even more than gratitude. You can start helping others by thinking about all the ways you've been helped in your life. And then consider how you can help others who need your help, too.