Helping those who are in need is one of the greatest measures of a good character. However, a recent study shows that it can also help reduce stress.
A research done by a team from Yale University School of Medicine conducted a 14 day study consisting at least 77 adults, whose age bracket ranges from 18 to 44 years old. During the duration of 2 weeks of research, participants were asked to report all sorts of stress they experienced every single day, whether it is at home, school or work. They must also submit a list of all the things that were compromised due to their level of stress.
Aside from that, those who took part in the study had to report whether they did anything that is of helpful behavior. Lastly, all of them were asked to complete a 10 day scaling program where they will rate the intensity of their emotions and mental health.
When the results went out, it is revealed that helping others in a day to day basis helped the participant's well being. The researchers found out that when a participant is being more helpful than usual, he or she experiences a lift in the mood. And a better mood means less stress. The study also showed that on the days when each of the participants is not being helpful, the ratings they gave about their emotions and mental health are lower.
According to Dr. Emily Ansell, the lead author of the study, their research only proved that if people are being more helpful, they will have a lesser amount of stress. She also suggested that since it's typical for people to have an irritated mood and poorer mental health during the holiday season, doing small acts of good deeds will help brighten up the mood and relieve the stress of the busy days.
