Be the knight in shining armour for ourselves, as well as for others.
Giving personal or professional help to those around us, gives us a buzz.
Release of endorphins #
Brain science shows us that our brains release endorphins when we help others, which leads to a phenomenon called Helper’s High: a state of euphoria caused by doing charitable deeds, similar to a mild version of a morphine high.
No wonder we keep coming back for more!
However, just as it’s possible to overdose on morphine, we can overdose on the Helper’s High.
Helper’s High Overdose #
A Helper’s High overdose can lead to something akin to burnout. Under extreme conditions, it can lead to a lack of empathy for what others are going through or hoping to achieve – the dangerous opposite of our natural state as helpful souls.
Psychiatrist, Yazhini Srivathsal suggests we need to make sure we are tending to our own emotional and physical well-being and needs while we are involved in providing care and support for other people.
Dr. Srivathsal recommends some handy hints and routines to keep us on the path of helpfulness:
- Find a balance between your professional and personal life and taking time off if you can.
- Follow self-care routines—get enough sleep, choose healthy food, get regular exercise and nurture social relationships.
- Avoid information overload and pay attention to how stressful or traumatic information affects you.
- Identify your priorities and engage in activities that replenish and rejuvenate you.
- Practice gratitude and being in the present moment.
- Understand that suffering and pain are a part of the collective human experience, and that you do not always have control over them.
- Focus on areas that you have control over, including your thoughts and feelings, rather than having unrealistic expectations about changing things that might be beyond your control.
- Seek professional help if you need it.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn
Thank you for reading.
