We all know that good deeds are extremely important, as they provide aid to people who need it most. Despite this, did you know that performing good deeds is also beneficial to your individual health? Many cultures and religions place great emphasis on good deeds and charitable donations, such as Zakat in Islam and the concept of love thy neighbor in Christianity. This is because charity is thought to be an ideal mode of bringing yourself closer to your god, allowing you to reach righteousness. However, executing good deeds benefits you in more ways than one, even if you’re not thinking about them in a religious capacity.

Decreased Stress Levels

A study in 2013 depicted that doing your bit for others had a substantial effect on blood pressure. In fact, it was found that those above the age of 50 who volunteered for around four hours a week were 40 percent less likely to develop hypertension within the coming four years. In times of stress, your blood pressure will skyrocket, which is why a stable blood pressure signifies that your stress levels are low. Stress can be detrimental to one’s health, which is why it’s important to do all that you can to keep stress to a minimum.

Increased Life-Expectancy

Another study also proved that high levels of unselfishness resulted in a lower risk of early death. Unselfishness doesn’t have to come in the form of charitable donations or volunteering; things as simple as running errands for family members or offering childcare for friends are also great ways to display generosity. Not only do these gestures help those who need them, but they reduce your stress levels as previously mentioned. Since these stress levels are minimized, you’re not as prone to illnesses that can potentially be life-threatening. Your vital organs can take a real hit if you put them under too much pressure, so it’s imperative that you take the right steps in decreasing your stress levels.

“Helper’s High”

After performing a good deed, you’re likely to feel a small rush. This rush is created by the release of endorphins, which are regarded as your brain’s feel-good chemicals. By doing something in aid of someone else, the area of your brain in which pleasure is evoked is triggered. The release of endorphins comes with a multitude of benefits, including reduced levels of pain and discomfort, increased pleasure, lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, countered inflammation, improved moods, a boosted self-esteem, a healthier immune system, and improved memory and cognitive function.

Increased Happiness

Isn’t the purpose of life to be happy? Well, a further study displayed that executing good deeds makes you feel happy. This applies to all aspects of your life, from your work to your home environment. In fact, those who regularly do good deeds were seen to be less inclined to quit their jobs, whilst also displaying a greater commitment to their professional life. This can even apply to your work life, as those who are keen to assist their colleagues in need will feel better as a result. On top of this, the colleague in question will feel that some pressure is being alleviated from them, creating a happier working environment overall.

Better Mental Health

A lot of mental health is associated with life satisfaction, and those that perform good deeds are more likely to be satisfied with their lives. As a result, they find that their mental health is in a good position. 40 studies associated with volunteering were taken into consideration, which concluded that regular volunteering can be linked to a reduced risk of depression.