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Learn how helping others can improve your health, well-being, and happiness, and see some inspiring stories of people who help others in various ways. Find out how to get started with helping others and what benefits you can expect.
- Overview
- Ask people how you can help the
- Be proactiv
- Teach skills to other peopl
- Comfort upset or grieving peopl
- Be a nonjudgmental listene
- Give compliments and offer encouragemen
- Do a chore for someone els
- Send a thoughtful note or care packag
- Say “thank you” and express appreciatio
Helping others is an important part of life; it gives you a sense of purpose and boosts your happiness while positively affecting the world around you. If you want to help others more but aren’t sure where to start, look no further. Whether you're caring for friends and family or giving back to your community, keep reading for the complete guide to helping others.
Give friends and family help by offering comfort, listening, doing chores, and teaching them new skills.
Help your community by donating and fundraising for causes that you believe in. Volunteer your time as well.
Helping others allows you to connect with people and get a sense of purpose. The more you help people, the more accomplished you’ll feel.
The easiest way to know how you can help others is simply to ask them.
Talk to a family member or friend, ask them what they most need help with, and offer your services. Then, follow through and do whatever they've asked of you—actions speak louder than words!
Look for opportunities to help and lend a hand without being asked.
Practice simple caring gestures, like calling your elderly grandpa to check in or bringing your friend dinner while they’re sick. Don’t wait for someone to ask for help—train yourself to think about all the different ways you can help people, so it becomes second nature. Focus on being as friendly as possible, and you’ll get the hang of it!
Teaching others helps them learn valuable skills they might need in life.
Offer to teach friends and family members who are struggling with a skill you know well, like helping your parents set up social media accounts or teaching a friend how to knit. Teach people outside your social circle, too—try tutoring a student in math, for example, or showing your coworker how to use the office copier.
Try not to sound condescending when you offer to teach someone—keep your tone casual and friendly, and say that you’d love to show them the ropes.
Get creative and use the internet to teach people too! For example, you could make a YouTube video about tie-dyeing shirts or post your special apple pie recipe on social media.
Comfort and compassion can make them feel better as they grieve.
Be the first to offer condolences when someone you care about is suffering. Do what you can to
, whether they need a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or a helping hand. Talk to them with empathy and compassion, and ask them if there’s anything you can do to help.
For example, it might help a grieving friend if you bring them dinner a few nights each week or do something fun with them to get their mind off of the situation.
Sometimes, listening is more helpful and healing than practical assistance.
Not everybody is looking for hands-on help or a solution to their problems; they just need to let out their feelings while a supportive friend listens. When someone is telling you about a hardship they’re going through,
and focus on understanding them rather than fixing their problems.
When someone is venting, they need a listener who won’t judge them. Stay open-minded and think about how they must feel; judgment will make them feel like they can’t trust you.
Compliments fulfill people’s emotional needs and make them feel great!
While giving compliments might not be what you traditionally picture when you think of helping people, it absolutely does help.
to everyone around you, giving sincere praise while celebrating their successes and qualities that you admire the most.
For example, you could tell your sibling how great they are at basketball or compliment a co-worker on a job well done after they do a presentation.
Compliment your significant other if you have one. Be earnest and remind them how smart, gorgeous, and talented they are.
Give compliments to strangers, too. You can make someone’s day just by stopping long enough to tell them how awesome their Star Wars shirt is or how much you love their blue-dyed hair.
Tackling another person’s chores is a great way to make their day easier.
When people get busy or stressed, chores and jobs often slip through the cracks. Find out from your family and friends what they're too busy to do for themselves, and set aside some time to do the chore for them. Take care of chores without being asked, too—just look for a job that needs doing and take care of it.
You can help just by letting people know that you care.
Take time to send your loved ones notes, handwritten cards, and even care packages with special treats inside. When people feel isolated or cut off from their friends, even a small gesture can help them feel more connected and make their day brighter.
Write a nice email or letter and casually mention a reason why you like the recipient. Reminisce about something fun you did together, or bring up one of their best qualities.
Include some of the recipient’s favorite snacks or home-baked goods in a care package, combined with little things that they might enjoy. For example, you might send a new sketch pad if they’re artistic.
Receiving thanks makes people feel great about themselves.
Plus, showing gratitude will make you happier too! Express your thanks when someone does something nice for you, and let your loved ones know how much you appreciate them even when there’s nothing to thank them for specifically.
by creating a list of things you’re grateful for and sharing them with others.
For example, send someone a quick “thank you” note if they give you a gift, or thank your friend for buying you dinner.
Make a social media post about how much you appreciate your spouse’s support as you change careers, or tell a friend how proud you are that they ran a whole marathon.
Be especially nice to underappreciated people—like the person bagging your groceries or bussing your table at a restaurant. Their jobs are often thankless, but a few kind words might lift their spirits.
- Helping others feels good. There is some evidence to suggest that when you help others, it can promote physiological changes in the brain linked with happiness.
- It creates a sense of belonging. Helping others can help us to make new friends and connect with our community. Face-to-face activities such as volunteering at a food bank can also help reduce loneliness and isolation.
- It gives you a sense of purpose. Studies show that volunteering enhances an individual’s overall sense of purpose and identity. This is because helping others can make you feel rewarded, fulfilled and empowered.
- Giving helps keep things in perspective. Helping others, especially those who are less fortunate than yourself, can help to put things into perspective and make you feel more positive about your own circumstances.
Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful. But it’s important to remember that giving doesn ...
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