帮助他人可以增加幸福和减轻压力

根据美国心理学协会的年度调查，压力是一系列过于普遍的经历。更重要的是，很多人都感到压力超出了他们的应对能力。

在工作，金钱问题，家庭压力等义务之间，可以容易地感受到过度劳累，沮丧和burned out。

您可能已经练习了压力缓解技术yoga或者冥想, but there's another way to relieve stress you may not have tried: lending a helping hand to someone in need.

起初，您可能担心您的时间和注意力只会使您的日程安排销往，但研究表明，帮助他人有益于您的精神和身体健康。

以下是科学对压力和利他主义的概述，以及对别人做好事物的一些想法，也让你感觉良好。

压力对健康的影响

发表的2015年研究临床心理科学期刊发现帮助他人可以缓解压力。虽然这是一项小型研究，但结果令人眼开。

77岁至44岁之间的成年人参加了该研究。每天晚上，他们都收到了自动呼叫，提醒他们完成每日问卷。

The questionnaire asked participants aboutstressful eventsin their day, such as their commute, responsibilities at home and work, and finances.

Participants were also asked to keep track of their helpful behaviors, any small acts of kindness they did, and the emotions associated with these behaviors.

The researchers found that participants who performed more daily acts of kindness were less likely to feel stressed. On days when they could not complete any acts of kindness, participants reported more压力和消极性。

While further study is needed to analyze the theory, it has promising implications for people experiencing high levels of stress.

Small Acts of Kindness

You don't need to be wealthy or have tons of free time to give (and receive) the benefits ofaltruism。即使是一个像陌生人的门一样小的手势，也有潜力减轻压力。

以下是一些简单的行为，可以帮助他人，并且可能甚至降低你的压力水平并改善你的整体福祉。

Pay It Forward

当你在驱动器上窗口时，你可以支付你身后的汽车。它只需要少量的钱，当这个人进入窗户来接受他们的订单时，发现它是一个令人愉快的惊喜。

分享What You Can Spare

Sometimes, sparing an afternoon to bake up some treats for your coworkers is all it takes to make someone's day.

如果烹饪或烘焙不是您的事情（或者您不允许将外部食物带到您的办公室或休息室），您仍然可以找到另一种方式来分享您的才能，技能，激情甚至财产。

Just thinking of others shows you care. For example, if you and a group of friends are going to a concert, pack an extra pair of earplugs. During cold and flu season, always have some extra tissues on hand.

When you're traveling, bring along an extra power cord or charger to lend someone who is in a pinch at the airport terminal.

Donate Goods

花点时间来整理你的衣柜或地下室，捐赠任何衣服，玩具和书籍。您的社区中可能有许多地方和组织需要这些物品。

Get in touch with your local shelters, churches and religious organizations, youth centers, group homes, prisons, and businesses like Goodwill.

如果您提前致电，一些地方甚至可以让某人来拿起物品或有人迎接您来帮助卸载捐款。

By donating goods you no longer want, you're not only helping people who are in need but are reminded to be grateful for what you have.

志愿者

Whether you are a photographer, web designer, or cook, taking your skills (and your time) out into the community can be a great way to help out.

有机会与当地住房，动物救援或汤厨房志愿服务的人直接与有需要的人一起工作。根据您的技能，您可以通过簿记，调度或网站设计帮助组织或团体。

If donating your time is more than you can commit, you can always donate money to charities through fundraising efforts, giving in the memory of a loved one, or even giving your spare change to a charity at the grocery store.

给爱情

生活中最好的事情是自由的，这适用于微笑，拥抱和其他展示你所关心的手势。

你不必承诺你的时间或钱为别人做一些善良的事情。即使是肩膀上的简单挤压也可以放心，让别人知道你支持他们，你关心。

你不需要制作一个盛大的姿态来对某人的生活有所作为。您所做的小型善行为不会因为自己的生活而产生差异，但可以对自己有积极的（甚至更加生命）的影响。