Do good, feel good

As we come to the end of Ramadan, GulfWeekly’s columnist Preety Praveen explores the impact that acts of kindness and service, which are commonly practised during the Holy Month, have on our mental health and wellbeing.

We learn many things in life but there are some qualities that are inbuilt in our heart, mind and soul. One among them is a desire to do something for people and society.

There is a Chinese proverb, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”

Agreed that we all have many things to handle, ample responsibilities to cater to, abundant emotions to hold and enough work pressure. And I won’t deny that all of this is enough to keep us engrossed and involved every single minute.

But taking time out for a stranger, making an effort to reach out to a needy person and thinking about serving someone without any selfish motive can bring happiness, to both, the person doing the service and the person receiving it. When we help others, we often feel a sense of fulfilment, knowing we’ve made a positive impact. It strengthens relationships, fosters gratitude and creates a sense of community.

When we help others, our brains release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins, which boost our mood and reduce stress. Additionally, serving others often shifts our focus away from our own challenges, allowing us to gain perspective and feel more grateful for what we have.

The joy of seeing others happy because of our actions also reinforces a sense of purpose and self-worth, contributing to long-lasting happiness. Simply put, helping others not only brightens their day, but it enriches our own life too.

Some common feelings and experiences that one might enjoy when they jump into the ocean of kindness and service are – happiness, satisfaction, gratitude, connection, emotional upliftment, a sense of purpose, humility and empathy and relief from ego. In a nutshell, when one serves others with selflessness, the reward often isn’t just external but internal - a profound sense of fulfilment, and personal growth. And that’s the reason acts of service are a love language, meaning that giving or receiving them is a primary way the person (whose love language it is) experiences connection and care.

And to sail in this boat of satisfaction, we don’t even have to go out of the house. People whom you find in your vicinity, who serve you from the heart, take care of you, help you and make your life easy, beautiful and livable, need your kindness and attention.

On a daily basis, you meet your house help, watchman, gardener, security guard and delivery man.

Just think for once, when was the last time you took a few minutes to ask them how they are, what’s happening in their life, or if everything is fine at their home?

Acts of kindness and service strengthen the bonds within communities. These simple yet powerful gestures remind us of our shared humanity, fostering empathy and compassion that create a ripple effect, inspiring others to do the same. Even the smallest acts can make a significant difference in the world.

(Preety Praveen is a psychologist and author.)