By Dr. Gregg Jacobs

Altruism is an attitude that most directly connects us to something beyond ourselves. Too much preoccupation with ourselves can lead to anxiety and depression by increasing concentration on problems; altruism reduces the focus on ourselves and serves as a distraction from problems and worries. Altruism also provides these other benefits:

• Improved positive emotions such as caring;
• Improved attitudes and feelings of greater contentment with what we have;
• Increased self-esteem and sense of well-being by strengthening belief in our own skills and strengths;
• Reduction in anger and social isolation and bolstering of social support.

Helping others doesn't just feel good, and it doesn’t just give life greater meaning. Studies show that altruism can reduce the effects of stress and dramatically improve the health of the helper. In one major study of 2,700 residents in Tecumseh, Michigan, researchers found that men who volunteered for community organizations were two and half times less likely to die (from any cause) than men who did not volunteer.

Studies also indicate that helping is associated with boosted immune functioning, fewer colds and headaches, and relief from pain and insomnia. Harvard Medical School researchers who followed Harvard graduates for 40 years identified altruism as one of the major qualities that helped graduates cope with the stress of life.

In recent studies conducted at the University of Michigan and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, investigators found that altruism improved mental health, physical well-being and longevity. For example, the Michigan study found that, among a group of over 400 elderly couples followed for five years, the people who reported helping others—even if it was just giving emotional support—were only half as likely to die as those who did not. The Massachusetts study found that improved mental health was more closely linked to giving help that to receiving it. These studies, which bear out the spiritual wisdom that it is more blessed to give than to receive, suggest that when we open our heart to others and care about them, it changes the way we look at the world and makes us happier.

Some researchers believe that the intensely caring and generous attitude of altruism played an integral role in the development and expansion of the human brain, for our ancestors survived by helping one another hunt, gather food and defend against predators. Similarly, the simple act of keeping watch while others slept had huge survival advantages. Altruism likely facilitated all forms of cooperation, sharing and communication—key forces that shaped human evolution.

Although little research has been done to determine what biological mechanism might link altruism to better health, it is likely due to deactivation of the stress pathways or enhancement of the immune system, which has been shown to be directly linked to the brain and emotions. (See the Truestar Stress Page).

It is also possible that altruism activates the “feel-good” hormones called endorphins. A phenomenon called ‘helper’s high’, which results in sensations of warmth, increased energy and euphoria, has been documented in a survey of thousands of individuals and may represent the effects of endorphins. It is also likely that altruism counters loneliness and social isolation, which are risk factors for increased psychological distress, sickness and death through excessive activation of the stress pathways in the brain. Indeed, a recent brain imaging study found that the hurt of social rejection seems to activate the same parts of the brain that are activated by physical pain. In this sense, altruism may satisfy our genetic need for social connectedness within the deepest recesses of the brain.

An altruistic attitude in daily life can be fostered by participation in many activities: tutoring, visiting nursing homes, helping at hospitals or homeless shelters, cooking or delivering meals or donating to charities. Even simple, spontaneous acts in daily life can be altruistic: holding the door open for someone, assisting an elderly person or helping someone whose arms are full; letting another ahead of you in line or in traffic; shoveling a neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm or sending a note or making a quick phone call to let someone know he or she did a good job.

A caution about altruism: if helping involves constant or exhausting demands, the stress of helping can outweigh the benefits of helping. In fact, feeling overwhelmed by other’s demands had a stronger negative effect on mental health the positive effect of altruism in the University of Massachusetts study described earlier. So choose an altruistic activity that you enjoy and one with which you are comfortable. You will reduce stress, feel better and be healthier, and you may live longer.

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