The eighth letter in MY SCORECARD from the NCHPAD MENTOR Program, C, doesn’t just positively impact your health but also the well-being of others. It stands for Contribution to Others.
Contributing to others is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, essential for building strong communities, fostering mutual support, and enhancing overall well-being. However, many individuals often have a misguided mindset about contributing to others. For those with a new injury or medical diagnosis, it may seem as though they can no longer contribute to the well-being of others. Additionally, many people prioritize their wants over the needs of others.
One of the biggest challenges in our society is the subconscious desire to receive more than we give. It’s important to remember that outflow determines inflow: the more you give, the more you receive in return.
Giving More, Wanting Less
Although many of us are conditioned from a young age to desire more for ourselves than for others, following the path of the ego, research clearly shows that contributing to others yields a much greater return on health. We become healthier when we give and less healthy when we focus on wanting.
Altruism, defined as an unselfish concern for the well-being of others, is believed to reduce negative thought patterns and promote health. However, for many individuals, altruism is overshadowed by an overpowering ego, which seeks an identity that distinguishes them from others and fosters a sense of uniqueness. Among those with a recent disability or new diagnosis, the ego may interpret the situation through a “why me” perspective, shifting their focus from ‘giving’ to ‘needing.’ The ego can take root in any circumstance that creates a sense of separation from the collective.
Contributing to others involves shifting the focus away from oneself. People who give are generally more content with their lives than those who wait to receive. Contribution can take various forms, such as contemplating compassion for others (the spiritual aspect of giving) or performing acts of kindness for neighbors, friends, family members, strangers, or coworkers. Simple gestures like a friendly greeting, smile, or compliment can foster positive feelings in others, and the reciprocal energy from these interactions can enhance one’s well-being. Here are a few extra examples of contributions to others:
- Taking a meal or having it delivered to an elderly person
- Watering a neighbor’s plants
- Mentoring a child in reading, math, etc.
- Giving a worker at the local take-out restaurant or drive-through coffee shop a larger tip
- Allowing someone to move into your lane during traffic
- Smiling at a stranger and saying hello
There is a great deal of research that demonstrates that people who contribute to others through volunteerism and service have better health profiles than those who don’t [1].
Other research has demonstrated an association between altruism and measures of psychological and physical health [2].
Once the brain understands that there is a reward for doing random acts of kindness, it tends to keep doing it. Here are some best practices to remember when benefiting others.
Pointers to Contribution to Others
1. Contribution/Community Engagement.
Do something kind for a friend or even a stranger. Offer thanks, smile, volunteer, or join a community group. Engaging with the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and helps create meaningful connections with those around you.
2. Reduce Loneliness in a Neighbor.
Social isolation is a growing epidemic in our society, and your contribution to others can help reduce loneliness in someone else. You can support those who are isolated from their community, such as an elderly neighbor who rarely leaves their house or someone with a disability whom you regularly interact with via phone or email. Places of worship often know of individuals who can no longer attend services and would appreciate a few interactions with other congregation members.
3. You Have a Great Deal to Share with Others.
Many people might feel they cannot back to others, unaware they possess certain talents or values that others need. Your talents might include engaging in conversation, sharing information, ideas, or current events, or having skills such as painting, sketching, or writing. Everyone has something valuable to offer. Discovering these talents is crucial for helping you give back to others, which in turn benefits you as well.
4. Identify Opportunities to Volunteer.
Compile a list of volunteer opportunities accessible in most communities. Volunteering doesn’t need to be time-consuming; it can be as straightforward as making a phone call to check on someone or offering to drive them to the grocery store or doctor. Writing brief notes to others can also significantly boost health, benefiting both the sender and the recipient.
5. Use Compassion to Contribute to Others Virtually.
Compassion is the recognition of a profound connection between individuals. If you’re not yet prepared to commit to something time-consuming, begin by expressing compassion to someone going through a tough period. This can be as simple as cultivating positive thoughts towards that person.
6. Think of Contribution to Others in Three Categories: Time, Talent, Treasure.
You can give back in three ways:
- Giving some of your time to assist someone in a particular task or activity
- Sharing a talent (e.g., writing, speaking, art, music, fundraising, tutoring, etc.) with someone else or in a group
- Contributing to a unique financial need for a person or family or setting up some sort of network (e.g., a Go-Fund page) for raising money for a good cause.
The contribution also doesn’t have to be exorbitant or require lots of time, talent or treasure. Simple acts of kindness (e.g., a 5-minute phone call, volunteering once a week at a local food pantry) all work.
7. Start a Contribution to Others “bank account.”
If you’re inspired to assist individuals or causes in your community, consider launching a website where community members can log their volunteered time and the types of services they wish to offer. The range of activities that could be listed in this “volunteer bank” is limitless, offering a fantastic opportunity to foster community
8. Train Your Brain.
Similar to having to practice mindfulness, set a time to exercise, or avoid certain types of sugary foods, it can take time to train your mind to contribute to others and find your purpose in doing so. Ask yourself if you have performed a random act of kindness today. This can help you think about ways to add more contributions to others as part of your daily or weekly routine.
9. Contribution to Others Starts with Being Kind to Oneself.
The initial step in showing kindness to others begins with showing kindness to oneself. This is known as self-compassion, which involves refraining from self-criticism when life doesn’t unfold as expected. Everyone experiences such challenges, but acquiring a disability can often amplify feelings of disappointment over unmet expectations. However, these are all judgments originating from the mind, and in the realm of mindfulness and spirituality, there is no real cause for such disappointment.
Summary
Contribution to others can be anything from compliments to volunteering or donating to a charity. Everyone has something that can help others and benefiting others can have lasting health benefits for you as well. When you develop good habits to complete at least one random act of kindness a day it will become a part of a routine. Find opportunities to contribute to others and you will discover that everyone has something to offer.
References
- Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY. Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms. BMC Public Health. 2017 Jul 11;18(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8. Erratum in: BMC Public Health. 2017 Sep 22;17(1):736. doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4709-6. PMID: 28693551; PMCID: PMC5504679.
- Park, S., Kahnt, T., Dogan, A. et al. A neural link between generosity and happiness. Nat Commun 8, 15964 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms15964