Why You Should Make Others Happy
and 5 Ways to Get Started
It's no secret that one path to happiness is shifting your attention to the happiness of others. Studies have found that when you consciously attempt to boost the moods of the people around you, the benefits to yourself are vast.
What's In It For You?
Humans are hard-wired to receive chemical rewards in the brain when performing acts of kindness. It's part of ensuring that a given society is built on compassion and generosity. Although competition and ruthlessness can also be a part of this societal mix, the feeling of pleasure at having shown selflessness is there for a reason. Building the habit of kindness also improves self-esteem and confidence. Here are five tips to inspire you to start improving the lives of others and, in turn, your own.
One - Take Care of Yourself
The first step to showing generosity towards others is being able to show generosity to yourself. If you have negative self-talk and low self-esteem, it is difficult to genuinely offer the people around you adequate support. Learning to accept yourself, flaws and all is a vital part of becoming a more compassionate person. It can be difficult to forgive yourself since many of us expect more of ourselves than we expect from other people, but treating yourself with kindness will help you understand that nobody is perfect, but everybody is deserving of respect and compassion.
Two - Reach Out to Friends and Family
A great place to start when it comes to practicing making other people happy is at home. Those closest to you will appreciate demonstrations of care as much as anyone else. Show the people you love that you want the best for them, help them achieve their goals, or simply offer a respite from the stress of life. Reach out to an old friend you haven't contacted in a while or visit an elderly relative to lift their spirits. You'll quickly notice how treating others with kindness rewards everyone involved - watching your family and friends flourish will warm your heart and encourage you to spread the kindness further.
Three - Volunteer Your Time
Time is a precious resource, and if you are willing to spend it helping others, then you'll start to build a habit of kindness that will give you a more positive outlook about yourself. Volunteering is an excellent way to bring more positivity to the world. Maybe you could help out at a local homeless shelter or care home. Mental health volunteering opportunities are a fantastic way to bring happiness to yourself and other people. There are many paths you can choose that lead to becoming a more generous person, and volunteering is just one of them.
Four - Educate Yourself and Others
Another helpful use of your time is to gain knowledge and share it with other people. If you like the idea of being part of a better future, teaching younger generations is a great way to start. Even simply educating yourself makes you a valuable member of society as you will be better placed to understand the world around you and, therefore, help to improve it. Knowledge is not much use if only a select few people possess it. Even the most difficult subjects can be translated to communicate concepts to people outside the field, where alternative perspectives can be found and developed. You can become a tutor or a teacher or participate in social groups around a particular subject; whichever you prefer, developing your own awareness of the world and sharing it with other people can make you feel more connected and happy.
Five - Find a Good Cause
Everyone is passionate about something, and even if you haven't found what it is yet, there will be something out there waiting for you. A good way to discover your passion isn't just by considering your interests and hobbies, but also what makes you unhappy or angry. If you see something wrong with the world that you would like to change for the better, find a group to join and start making a difference. Solidarity among like-minded people can feel like having a second family.
Adjust Your Mindset
Your outlook is the lens through which you perceive everything, from reality to society to your own personality. Although it might seem fixed and unchangeable, learning to adjust your outlook to accommodate new information and priorities is important for developing a happier lifestyle. When you make room for happiness within yourself, you make it easier to show kindness towards other people. While this might be a challenge at first, it is a worthwhile task. Soon you'll discover that every small act of kindness creates a ripple of positivity. Something as insignificant as smiling at a stranger on the street can spread joy and encourage further acts of kindness far beyond your reach. This is why developing kind habits, no matter how small, can make a huge difference to the world.
