It’s a debate that has been raging amongst the science community for as long as can be remembered; are humans inherently selfish, or are they hardwired to act in the interests of others and work as a team?
Some argue that humans only do good deeds so they can revel in the attention of doing so that naturally follows, whilst others say that humans recognize their responsibility to help others as part of their natural instincts. Whatever you believe, one thing is for certain, and that’s that altruistic people reap many unintentional but beneficial rewards for being that way.
An altruistic person is someone who helps others and acts selflessly without wanting or expecting any reward for doing so. As most behaviors are learned, it is possible to learn to become more altruistic, and if you succeed, you can look forward to the following benefits.
1. Altruistic People are Less Lonely
It’s thought that one in three Americans feel lonely, and that number is rising. Loneliness is more than the absence of companionship; it’s feeling like no one understands you, no one cares about you, and that you feel left out. This can have many negative health impacts, including increasing the risk of dementia and depression. Loneliness can even lead to early mortality. This is all very grim news, but those who are altruistic are far less likely to feel lonely. Those who volunteer in soup kitchens, at homeless shelters, care homes, and animal rescue centers (to name but a few) are more likely to forge social connections with those they come into contact with. They’re likely to meet people they never would have if they didn’t volunteer their time, and this contributes to them feeling less lonely overall.
2. Altruistic People Have a Better Quality of Life
Not being lonely is one way to increase your quality of life, but studies have shown that those who freely give to charities – whether they’re funding water wells with Children of Adam or protecting the elderly from abuse through Age International – are more likely to look after themselves as well as others. This works on the basis of recognizing what you do have. If you work with homeless people, you’re more likely to feel an enhanced sense of gratitude for your home and keep it tidy and clean. If you work with people who have an addiction to gambling, you’re more likely to make a conscious effort to avoid putting yourself in that situation because you’ve seen the effects firsthand. In essence, a better quality of life means longer, happier life, and that’s why altruistic people live longer!
3. Altruistic People Are More Physically Healthy
It’s common knowledge that giving to charity does wonder for your mental health. It reduces your risk of anxiety and depression and leads to an overall increased sense of happiness and contentment, but it can benefit more than just your brain. Altruistic people have been shown to have lower levels of blood pressure which makes them less likely to have a stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. People who demonstrate altruism are also less likely to be obese, and that can further lower the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. In addition to this, some studies even suggest that altruistic people are more motivated to be active, meaning they exercise more and reap both the physical and mental rewards of doing so.
Summary
So, being altruistic leaves you with a lot to gain and almost nothing to lose. If you want to experience benefits like the ones listed above, consider donating to charity regularly or volunteering your time at a charity of your choosing. Not only will you be helping others, but you’ll be helping yourself in the process.
