essay on helping each other to get over difficult times

How to help a friend through a tough time, according to a clinical psychologist

It can be hard to know what to say. Just show compassion.

by Kathryn Gordon

Science supports what we intuitively understand: Strong relationships enhance the quality of our lives . We have all felt our outlook brighten after a meaningful conversation and our mood sour after conflict. We have all had a bad day turn around after an afternoon of laughter and story-swapping with good friends. That’s because having social support not only boosts our mental health, research has found, it also softens the impact of stress.

Our desire to belong is so universal that psychologists have labeled it a fundamental motivational drive . Social isolation is linked to a variety of problems, including attempting suicide and premature death . Loneliness, in other words, is finally being recognized as a public health issue . 

As a clinical psychologist, I provide therapy to people who have been through heart-wrenching experiences that can leave them feeling deeply alone — the death of a family member, sexual assault, domestic violence, unemployment, and other hardships. One of my top priorities as a therapist is working with patients to increase their sources of social support. Many have loved ones who are eager to help. The problem is, they may not know how to. 

When we are not equipped to support loved ones through a hard time, our discomfort can compel us to point out a bright side or offer a simple solution, which may come across as dismissive. Sometimes, my patients say they walk away feeling judged or burdensome. While putting ourselves in other people’s shoes and treating people how we want to be treated are generally useful principles, they are not always the most effective ways to cultivate compassion. It is hard to imagine being in a situation that you have not actually been in, and people differ in what they find comforting. 

Through years of working with therapy patients and conducting mental health research, I have found some useful approaches for comforting people in pain. These are the most effective:

Ask them how they are feeling. Then, listen non-judgmentally to their response.

The simple act of asking someone how they’re doing, with an open-ended question, shows that you care. Listen attentively rather than interrupting or offering your opinion. Ask simple follow-up questions like, “What does that feel like?” or “What has been on your mind as you’re going through this?” This communicates that you genuinely want to know how they’re doing and feel comfortable hearing the truth.

Show them that you want to understand and express sympathy.

For example, if someone is struggling with a new medical diagnosis, you can say, “It sounds like you’re most worried about the side effects of the treatment. Is that right?” If you’re speaking in person, nonverbal communication, like a concerned facial expression, is a powerful way to convey support. You can also express kindness and validation through statements such as, “I’m sad that you’re in so much pain right now,” or “You’re in such a tough situation.”

Ask how you can support them and resist jumping in to problem-solve.

As a therapist, I help patients assert their requests for emotional support to friends and family members. You can’t be expected to mindread and know what will comfort every person in every situation. Acknowledging that and asking, “How can I support you?” or “What can I do to help?” expresses a desire to assist without presuming you know what is best for them.

Check in to see if they are suicidal.

Emotional pain can feel unbearable at times, especially for people lacking support and resources. Sometimes, this leads to suicidal thoughts. If someone you care about is going through a hard time, especially if they’ve had suicidal thoughts in the past, ask them directly if they are thinking about hurting or killing themselves. You may feel uncomfortable bringing it up, but research shows that asking about suicide is unlikely to harm people and may benefit them. It opens opportunities to share mental health resources, like the Crisis Text Line or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline . It’s also helpful to talk about a plan for safety, including reducing access to firearms and other lethal means.

Reassure them, realistically.

Statements like “Everything will be fine,” “It could be worse,” or “You just need to stop thinking that way,” often lead people to feel ashamed for expressing pain, and rarely set them on a better path. Instead, try saying things like, “There’s help available; we’ll find it together,” “A lot of people love you. You don’t have to get through this alone,” or “I’ve seen you get through extremely challenging times in the past, I believe in you.” 

There’s no perfect thing to say in the most difficult situations, but we can support each other by opening dialogue, expressing compassion, and listening with the goal of understanding. Though sometimes hard to initiate, these conversations are the ones that strengthen our relationships. They make us feel we have a place to turn the next time the world feels lonely and dark.

Kathryn Gordon, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist living in North Dakota. She is writing The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Skills to Reduce Emotional Pain, Increase Hope, and Prevent Suicide for New Harbinger. You can follow her on  Twitter .

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Hero — Helping Others

Essays About Helping Others

How to choose a good helping others essay topic.

When it comes to crafting a remarkable helping others essay, the topic you choose plays a pivotal role. Your topic sets the stage for your entire essay, dictating its effectiveness in captivating readers. Here are some innovative suggestions to help you brainstorm and select an impactful essay topic:

• Brainstorm: Kickstart your ideation process by brainstorming ideas related to helping others. Reflect on your personal experiences, volunteer work, or inspiring stories you've encountered. Don't filter your thoughts at this stage; simply jot down any ideas that come to mind.
• Reflect on your passions: Consider the causes or issues that ignite your passion. What genuinely interests you? Crafting an essay about something you deeply care about will make it more authentic and compelling.
• Consider the impact: Choose a topic with the potential to make a difference. Think about how your essay can inspire others to take action or view things from a fresh perspective. Aim to create awareness and evoke empathy.
• Uniqueness: Seek out a fresh angle or unique approach when selecting your essay topic. Steer clear of common or clichéd topics that have been extensively covered. Instead, strive to present a different viewpoint or shed light on an overlooked aspect of helping others.
• Relevance: Ensure that your chosen topic is relevant to the current societal context. Address pressing issues or discuss innovative solutions to make your essay more engaging and pertinent to readers.
• Emotional appeal: Opt for a topic that can evoke emotions in your readers. Sharing personal stories, transformative experiences, or tales of overcoming challenges can establish a strong emotional connection and leave a lasting impact.

Remember, a good helping others essay topic should be thought-provoking, inspiring, and unique. It should encapsulate the essence of your message and motivate readers to take action.

Ignite Inspiration with the Best Helping Others Essay Topics

Here are some of the best helping others essay topics that will captivate your readers:

• The Power of Small Acts of Kindness: Unleashing the potential of simple gestures to create a ripple effect.
• Shattering Stigmas: Transforming society's perception of marginalized communities.
• Nurturing the Next Generation: Empowering youth to reach their full potential.
• From Despair to Hope: Inspiring stories of individuals triumphing over adversity.
• Addressing Food Insecurity: Innovative solutions to combat hunger.
• Redefining Philanthropy: Exploring unconventional ways to give back to society.
• The Healing Power of Art: Unleashing creativity to positively impact mental health.
• Education for All: Bridging the gap between privilege and access to education.
• Building Stronger Communities: Fostering unity and inclusivity.
• The Importance of Empathy in Healthcare: Delivering compassionate patient care.
• Environmental Conservation: Preserving our planet for future generations.
• The Role of Technology in Volunteerism: Harnessing innovation for social good.
• Mental Health Advocacy: Destigmatizing mental illnesses and promoting support.
• Tackling Homelessness: Addressing root causes and finding sustainable solutions.
• Promoting Gender Equality: Challenging societal norms and empowering women.
• Animal Welfare: Advocating for the rights and well-being of animals.
• Empowering the Elderly: Supporting and honoring the elderly population.
• Refugees and Resilience: Stories of strength and survival.
• Overcoming Barriers: Triumphing over obstacles to achieve personal and professional success.
• Cultivating Belonging through Community Gardens: Nurturing a sense of unity through shared green spaces.

Fuel Your Essay with Engaging Helping Others Essay Questions

Consider these thought-provoking questions for your helping others essay:

• How can small acts of kindness have a significant impact on individuals and communities?
• In what ways can we challenge stereotypes and prejudices to create a more inclusive society?
• How does volunteering benefit both the giver and the receiver?
• What innovative solutions can be implemented to address the issue of homelessness?
• How can education bridge the gap between socio-economic disparities?
• What role does empathy play in building strong relationships within communities?
• How can individuals and organizations use technology to make a difference in the lives of others?
• What are the key challenges in providing mental health support, and how can they be overcome?
• How does environmental conservation contribute to the well-being of society?
• What impact does gender equality have on economic and social development?

Ignite Your Writing with Helping Others Essay Prompts

Consider these prompts to spark creativity in your helping others essay:

• Describe a time when a small act of kindness had a profound impact on someone's life.
• Imagine a world where everyone volunteered regularly. How would society be different?
• Write a letter to your future self, reflecting on a volunteering experience that changed your perspective.
• Create a fictional story about a community that rallied together to overcome a shared challenge.
• If you could start a nonprofit organization, what cause would you champion, and why?

Helping Others Essay FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about crafting an exceptional helping others essay:

Q: How do I start my helping others essay?

A: Begin with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader's attention and clearly states the purpose of your essay. Consider using a personal anecdote, a startling statistic, or a thought-provoking question to engage your audience.

Q: Can I use personal experiences in my essay?

A: Absolutely! Personal experiences add authenticity and emotional depth to your essay. Sharing your own journey of helping others can create a powerful connection with readers.

Q: Should I focus on a specific demographic or cause?

A: While it's not necessary, narrowing down your focus can make your essay more impactful. By zooming in on a specific group or issue, you can delve deeper into the complexities and nuances of helping others.

Q: How can I make my essay stand out from others?

A: To make your essay stand out, strive for originality in both your topic selection and the way you present your ideas. Avoid clichés and strive to offer fresh perspectives or unique solutions.

Q: Should I include statistics and research in my essay?

A: Including relevant statistics and research can strengthen your arguments and provide credibility to your essay. However, make sure to balance it with personal anecdotes and emotional appeal to maintain a well-rounded approach.

Q: How can I conclude my helping others essay effectively?

A: In your conclusion, summarize your main points and reiterate the importance of helping others. Leave the readers with a call to action or a thought-provoking question that encourages them to reflect on the impact they can make.

Remember, the key to writing an exceptional helping others essay is to choose a compelling topic, infuse it with your unique perspective, and inspire readers to take action.

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Spirituality

Getting through tough times, cope more effectively with these five tools..

Posted January 5, 2020 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Times of trouble are a part of life, and none of us escapes without experiencing moments of grief and sorrow, despair, and hopelessness. Whether it’s a traumatic loss, a serious illness, family conflict, or a financial downturn, sometimes life hands us a difficult stretch of road. Bouncing back from these experiences is what resiliency is all about, and it is clear that there are more and less effective ways to approach setbacks. When we are going through tough times, what we do matters. Although many of us resort to numbing our minds with drinking, shopping, or electronics, most of us also recognize the limitations of these coping tools. Other than our addictions, where can we turn when we need to find peace and solace in the face of suffering? Here are five solid candidates to rely on when the going gets tough.

1. Faith and Spirituality

Perhaps it will seem obvious, but when big themes come up like mortality and loss, pain and suffering, it’s often useful for us to turn to our religious and spiritual beliefs. These beliefs can be a safe harbor in a churning sea of despair, a light in the darkness. Communion with the sacred or the divine, whatever that means to each of us personally, can soothe and reassure.

Prayer and meditation , spending time in sacred spaces, and seeking the wisdom of trusted spiritual leaders are all valuable tools to have in your life-or-death coping kit. People have a remarkable capacity to find meaning in adversity and appreciate what really matters. Whatever you believe our existence represents in the larger context of the Universe, place what you’re facing in that framework. Faith in something bigger than we are, whether God, Love, or Nature, can help fill our hearts with peace, hope, and gratitude , even in the toughest times.

2. Community and Connection

In times of turmoil and upheaval, it is especially important to seek out connection with other humans. Crises cause us to have immediate— and sometimes protracted — increases in our practical and psychological needs. At such times, we all need friends and neighbors who will bring over a casserole or watch the kids, give us rides to doctors’ appointments or help us up the stairs. We need people to care. We all need a support system, a community, to fall back on when we can’t do everything we usually do for ourselves.

If you’re lucky enough to not be in need currently, now is the time to give and build: invest in reciprocal, supportive relationships and nurture these connections like your life depends on it. This universal need for support from others is also why we need to build a more compassionate society, one in which all of us, including those among us not lucky enough to have neighbors bearing casseroles, are meaningfully protected and cared for in times of loss or crisis. If you can, give generously of your time or money to organizations that provide compassionate help in your community.

3. Creativity and the Arts

Experiencing art, as a consumer or a creator, allows us to touch life and death themes through deep emotional expression. Art can accommodate all the stages of grief. Art can soothe or inflame: it has the power to possess us fully into another reality and alter our perceptions and consciousness. It can help us transcend the banal and face the moments of greatest impact in our lives. Even when you can’t find time or money to attend live cultural events, look online for dance and musical performances, plays, and operas, or even virtual walk-throughs of museums and exhibits. Give art a chance to move and inspire you.

Making art can also be therapeutic and growth-enhancing; you may fear this isn’t in your skillset, but if you’d feel too silly taking a dance class or throwing pottery, try singing in the shower, or let your inner child doodle with a super-size box of crayons. No one has to see or hear the creations you produce, and anyone can express emotion through sound, movement, and visual arts. Skills in the kitchen, the garage, or the garden can provide opportunities for artistic expression. When confined to a bed or otherwise restricted in your normal activities, give your phone a rest and pick up a sketch pad and a pencil, learn knitting or embroidery, or otherwise try a little creativity. In times of trouble, finding a way to express yourself through art can have a wide range of benefits.

4. Adaptation and Change

No matter what type of trouble you’re facing, your ability to cope relies in part on your ability to make adaptive changes in response to what has happened to you. Maybe there are ways to approach this time in your life, decisions to be made and changes to embrace, that will enable you to minimize the damage of this misfortune. If you can respond actively rather than passively, you may be able to prevent secondary problems. Seek out trusted confidantes and hear their advice. Find professional counseling resources and support groups. Learn about how others have managed what you’re going through, and copy their best ideas.

Sometimes adapting to a major upheaval requires being willing to engage in problem-solving and try new things. Adaptation can be painful: We tend to resist change, especially when we feel vulnerable or threatened. But adaptation is a powerfully liberating process. Remain open to radical reorganization as well as smaller changes. The more you adapt to your situation, the more effectively you will be able to cope with it and move forward.

5. Self-Care and Self-Compassion

Times of grief or struggle bring new barriers and challenges to self-care, even though these times are exactly when we most need self-care for its stress -reducing effects. Even if you are usually good about taking care of yourself, meeting your self-care needs during a crisis will be imperfect, and that’s OK. If you find yourself unable to do your usual stress-reduction activities, try to replace them with something you can do now, given your current realities. Trim down to basics and focus on sleep, nutrition , and activity level to whatever extent is realistic. Simplify and adapt your self-care routines as much as necessary to rise to the challenges of your current predicament, and endeavor to be gentle with yourself.

Self-compassion in times of trouble is at least as important as during good times. Compassion for yourself will not diminish your capacity to care for others. Indeed, practicing self-compassion tends to increase our capacity for more compassion toward others. Give yourself some kindness and understanding.

These strategies cannot keep the wolf of hard times from blowing at your door, but they can help you minimize the extent of the damage. When crisis turns your life upside down, you can bounce back by reaching for a few key tools: spiritual beliefs and practices, relational and practical support, adaptation and change, artistic expression, self-care, and self-compassion. Using these tools can help you persevere until the storm has passed and the next patch of sunshine arrives.

Kirsten Bradbury, Ph.D. , is a professor in the psychology department of the University of Texas.

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The Power of Joy in Difficult Times

What joy does in our minds and bodies, being joyful all the time is not the goal, looking for joy in tough times.

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By Alexandra Frost

The past few years have been some of our most challenging—and for many of us, the most challenging. We’ve been focused on surviving a pandemic—physically, emotionally, and financially. We’ve also been managing the emotions that come with social and political conflict here and in other countries, the climate crisis, and more. At times it has felt like every day brought more bad news. Given all that, it might seem silly to think about making time for joy. But the fact is that finding joy is one of the most powerful ways we can survive—and even thrive—in times like this. 

The dictionary defines joy as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” We all experience it in different ways at different times. Joy might look like laughter, gratitude, fun, connection, peacefulness or even solitude. “We’re talking about that feeling of lightness that we physically feel and then mentally feel,” says Anjali Ferguson , PhD, a culturally responsive clinical psychologist who works with families in Richmond, Virginia. “When we experience happiness, it physically changes what is happening in our bodies and can really improve our mental health.”

When we do things that feel good to us, like socializing or exercising, it “triggers the pleasure centers of our brain,” says Ferguson, and then our bodies pump out brain chemicals (like serotonin and dopamine) that make us feel good. At the same time, joy lowers stress hormones and “tells our body to kind of calm down.”

Laughter—which often goes hand in hand with joy—can give us a big boost physically and emotionally. Smiling and laughing can actually reduce physical pain and relax muscles. People who participated in a   2020 study answered survey questions throughout the day about how often and how hard they laughed, whether they went through any stressful events, and how they reacted to them. The more often people laughed, the fewer symptoms of stress they had. Interestingly, how hard they laughed didn’t make a difference. 

Because laughing appears to be so good for us and is an inexpensive way to improve mental health, experts are now researching laughter therapy to see exactly how it can help manage conditions like depression and anxiety.

Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, director of the positive emotions and psychophysiology laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has found that positive emotions like joy help us think more creatively, bounce back from negative emotions and thoughts, and generally improve our emotional well-being. Of course, that sounds like something you don’t need research to know. Joy kind of equals feeling good, right? But what Frederickson has found is that small spurts of positive emotions here and there can do all these powerful things. Which is good, because who is joyful all the time?

“Having good mental health is about an ability to flow with a number of emotions as they flow through you,” says Janis Whitlock , PhD, director of Cornell University’s research program on self injury and recovery and JED senior advisor. She compares it to a yoga class, where the goal is not to hold the posture perfectly the whole time, but to learn how to get back into it after falling out or needing a rest. 

In fact, it’s not our brain’s job to be happy all the time. Our brain’s main priority is to ensure we grow, survive, and reproduce. That’s why our brains tend to focus on negative emotions like fear. Feeling fear when we are in actual danger keeps us alive.

The past few years have been filled with a lot of fear, so having a tough time right now, “is a normal human response to an extraordinary moment,” says Whitlock. “It would be tone deaf to not acknowledge how much more difficult the pursuit of joy, and mental health in general, is right now.” More than that, understanding and expressing what has been—or continues to be—hard is a part of taking care of your mental health. “In order to move to a state of joy or to experience it at times throughout each day, we first need to validate what is hard,” says Whitlock.

Science also suggests that you can get some of the benefits of joy even when you don’t feel very joyful. A study published over a decade ago, but still referenced by psychologists including Whitlock, found that our bodies don’t know the difference between a fake and a real smile. Researchers had participants hold sticks in their mouths that held their lips in the shape of a smile and then compared their stress responses to people who were smiling genuinely. Turns out, even those making a “fake” smile had lower heart rates (suggesting they were less stressed) during stressful moments. Frederickson’s research has also shown that “if you look at something uplifting or funny it can have immediate positive benefits, even if you’re not in the mood for humor,” says Whitlock. “Actively seeking out positive emotions really helps.” 

Making time for joy will have a big difference in your overall well-being, and, says Whitlock, “it is totally possible even in these hard times.”

To learn how, check out 4 Steps to Adding Joy to Your Life . 

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Tips for finding joy in your life

Tips for helping others experience joy, finding joy during difficult times.

Stressed about your health, the pandemic, unemployment, financial uncertainty, or civil unrest? Even in these tough times, you can find joy in your daily life and improve your outlook.

Now more than ever, finding joy in your day-to-day experiences can improve your quality of life and enhance and protect your mental health. As many of us are mired in intense and heavy information from the news and social media, financial instability, and political and civil unrest, it’s become more and more difficult to find peace—both internally and externally. Furthermore, for many adults who are working from home while taking on new roles and responsibilities for their children’s academic needs, a newfound stress in the home is ever present. How can we, both individually and as a collective, “spark joy” to lift our own and each other’s spirits to get through difficult times?

Here are some ideas to give you a pick me up:

Listen to your favorite music . It can help you recall positive memories, providing an escape from the day-to-day difficulties you may be facing. Recalling these memories by listening to music is an easy and passive way to boost your mood while you’re working, cleaning, or just hanging out at home. Research has shown that listening to your favorite jams can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure , improve sleep quality , and enhance mood, too.

Develop a daily gratitude practice . It doesn’t have to be a big ordeal; just think of one to three simple statements a day such as, “I am grateful I have a roof over my head,” “I am grateful for the sun that rises each morning that I feel on my skin,” or “I am grateful for the delicious strawberries I had today.” At the end of each day, write in a journal or say aloud the things you were grateful for, as simple as they may be. By doing this, even during the most difficult or distressing times, your gratitude practice will help bring your circumstances into perspective, indirectly create joy, and keep you grounded.

[Listen: Gratitude in Difficult Times]

Spend time in a vision practice . Close your eyes and focus on your very favorite place, person, mantra, prayer, or even vacation. Breathe into the moment and envision yourself in this space or situation. Consider the colors, tastes, textures, and conversations. Try to spend a dedicated five minutes soaking in the moment, slowing down your breathing and relaxing your body. Some people find that this practice is enhanced either by laying down with bolsters under the legs and a weighted blanket on top of the body or by sitting in a chair with a cushion behind the back and under the feet. Meditating regularly in this way can help remind you that aspects of whatever difficult situation you’re dealing with—such as isolation, sadness, or desperation—are temporary. You will once again have more positive experiences, and these short meditations may even help you create new ones.

Find the “awe” moment every day . “Awe” is the concept of experiencing wonder and amazement. Awe frequently conjures up the idea of something “big” like snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef or seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris. However, researchers are finding that if we take the time to notice small, pleasurable moments every day, we can reap the same benefits. Awe moments can be found in seeing the sun rise, for example, or watching ants march. We can also experience “awe” by reading beautiful poetry or hiking on a new path and seeing interesting rocks or flowers. Take the time to notice things around you that you may have taken for granted. By relishing them and their place in the world (and yours), you can derive more meaning from your life, feel more connected to the world at large, and experience more joy in the day to day.

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The following ideas can help others experience joy. Since helping others is one of the best ways to feel happier and healthier yourself, when they feel joy, you will, too.

Send letters, poems, or drawings to first responders, essential workers, or elderly people on their own, for example. By engaging in this activity, you are bringing a sense of comfort and joy to others and giving yourself a feeling of fulfillment for having passed on some happiness to others. Additionally, it can help shift your attention away from your own day-to-day struggles and the heaviness you may be feeling.

[Read: Cultivating Happiness]

Start collecting spare change or a small amount of money every day, with the intention of donating it to a charity of your choice. At the end of a designated period of time (one to three months), write a letter to the charity letting them know what you did, why, and the meaning behind the donation. Saving the money and seeing the fruits of your labor will spark joy that you were able to meet a goal. Additionally, by writing a letter you’ll be able to express your intentions of goodwill to another. Oftentimes, when we voice our positivity instead of keeping it inside, we can further feel joy throughout our soul.

Run an errand for a friend or order food for them . Helping others with even something small can be a big stress reducer right now. They will be so thankful. And from their gratitude, you’ll experience a sense of joy—as will they.

Let your joy be in your journey

As you can see, experiencing joy, even in light of all the difficulties we are facing at this time both personally and collectively, can be achieved by some easy modifications to our day-to-day activities.

“Let your joy be in your journey—not in some distant goal” —Tim Cook

Author: Stephanie Mihalas, Ph.D.

Stephanie Mihalas, Ph.D., NCSP, ABPP, is a licensed and board-certified psychologist, a nationally certified school psychologist, and the founder of The Center for Well Being in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Mihalas is also a Board Member of HelpGuide.org International.

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Student Essays

Paragraph on Helping Others

Paragraph on Helping Others:  Helping others is an important and most sacred human value. It is one of the values that we must always keep close to our hearts. No matter how busy we are or what problems we may have, we should always find time to help others.

There are many ways in which we can help others. We can help them financially, emotionally, physically, or in any other way that they may need. Financial help may include giving them money, or it may include helping them to get a job or to start a business. Emotional help may include supporting them through tough times, or simply being there for them as a friend.

Physical help may include helping them to move house, or it may include giving them a ride somewhere. Whatever form of help we give, it is important that we do so from the heart. Helping others not only helps them, but it also helps us.

It helps us to feel good about ourselves, and it helps us to connect with others. When we help others, we feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and this makes us feel good. Helping others also gives us a sense of purpose, and it helps us to feel needed and appreciated.

There are many benefits to helping others, but the most important one is that it simply makes us feel good. When we make someone else’s life better, we cannot help but feel happy ourselves. Therefore, we should always be ready to help others in every condition.

>>>> Read Also : ” Essay On Self Help is Best Help For Students “

Short Paragraph on Helping Others:

Helping others is an act of kindness that can have a powerful impact on both the giver and receiver. The concept of helping others has been deeply ingrained in our society for centuries, as it is seen as a crucial aspect of human morality. It involves selflessly offering assistance to those in need without expecting anything in return.

There are different ways one can help others, whether it’s through volunteering at a local charity, donating to a cause, or simply offering a listening ear to a friend in need. Helping others can also extend beyond material assistance and include emotional support and guidance.

Not only does helping others bring joy and fulfillment to the person being helped, but research has also shown that it can have positive effects on the helper themselves. It has been linked to improved mental and physical health, increased happiness, and a sense of purpose in life.

Helping others also plays a vital role in building strong communities. By lending a helping hand, we create connections with those around us and foster a sense of unity and compassion. It can also inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of kindness that can make the world a better place.

In today’s fast-paced and often individualistic society, it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the needs of others. However, taking the time to help someone else can bring a sense of perspective and remind us that we are all connected.

In conclusion, helping others is not only beneficial for those receiving assistance but also for the person offering it. It promotes kindness, strengthens communities, and brings a sense of fulfillment to life. So let’s continue to spread acts of kindness and make the world a better place by helping others in need.

Paragraph on Helping Others for Class 5, 7, 10 Students:

We all have an innate desire to help others. Whether it’s lending a helping hand to a friend in need or volunteering at a local charity, the act of helping others brings us a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Helping others not only benefits those we assist, but also has a profound impact on our own well-being. Multiple studies have shown that helping others can improve our mental and physical health. By focusing on the needs of others, we shift our attention away from our own problems and worries. This not only reduces stress and anxiety, but also boosts our mood and overall happiness.

Moreover, helping others allows us to cultivate empathy and compassion towards others. It helps us understand different perspectives and challenges that people may be facing. As a result, we become more tolerant and understanding towards others, creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.

In addition, helping others also has a ripple effect. When we help someone, that person may feel inspired to pay it forward and help someone else in need. This creates a chain reaction of kindness and generosity that spreads throughout our communities.

One of the most significant benefits of helping others is the impact it has on building strong and meaningful relationships. Whether it’s through volunteering together or simply offering a listening ear, helping others fosters a sense of connection and camaraderie. It allows us to form bonds with people from different backgrounds and cultures, expanding our perspectives and understanding.

Furthermore, helping others can also provide us with new skills and experiences. Through volunteer work or assisting someone, we can learn new things and develop valuable skills that can benefit us both personally and professionally.

In conclusion, helping others is not only a selfless act, but also a mutually beneficial one. It not only brings joy and fulfillment to our lives but also has far-reaching effects on the well-being of individuals and communities as a whole. So let’s continue to spread kindness and lend a helping hand to those in need, as it not only makes the world a better place but also enriches our own lives.

Short Paragraph on Helpful ness:

Helpfulness is a quality that speaks volumes about an individual’s character. It involves the willingness to provide assistance, support, or guidance to others without expecting anything in return. Helpful individuals possess empathy and genuinely want to make a positive impact on those around them. They are always willing to lend a hand and go out of their way to help someone in need.

Being helpful not only benefits others but also brings a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction to the helper. It strengthens relationships, creates a sense of community, and ultimately contributes to making the world a better place. So, let’s strive to be more helpful towards one another. Let’s spread kindness and make someone’s day brighter with our acts of helpfulness.

Helpful individuals are an essential part of building a supportive and caring society. Their selflessness, compassion, and willingness to go the extra mile make them true assets to their communities. Helpful people are also great problem solvers as they have an innate ability to look at situations from different perspectives and come up with effective solutions.

They bring positivity into any situation and inspire others to do the same. With helpfulness, there is no limit to the positive impact that one can have on others

Short Inspirational Speech on Helping Others:

Helping others is a noble act that brings joy to both the receiver and the giver. It’s an act of kindness that goes beyond our own needs and desires, and instead focuses on the well-being of others. As humans, it’s our responsibility to help those in need and make this world a better place for everyone.

We live in a fast-paced society where everyone is busy with their own lives. We often forget to look around and see the struggles of others. But it’s important to remember that we are all connected, and by helping each other, we can make a significant difference in someone else’s life.

Many people think that they need to have a lot of money or resources to help others, but that’s not true. Helping others doesn’t always require money or material possessions; it can be as simple as lending a listening ear, offering a helping hand, or spreading kindness and positivity.

When we help others, we not only make a positive impact on their lives, but we also feel good about ourselves. It gives us a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and it reminds us of the power we hold to make a difference in someone else’s life. It’s a win-win situation for both parties involved.

Sometimes, all it takes is one small act of kindness to change someone’s entire day, or even their life. You never know how much your words or actions may mean to someone who is struggling. A simple smile, a kind word, or a small gesture of help can make all the difference.

Moreover, helping others also creates a ripple effect. When we help someone, they are more likely to pay it forward and help others as well. It’s like a chain reaction of kindness and positivity that spreads throughout the community.

In today’s world, where there is so much negativity and division, helping others is a powerful way to bring people together. It doesn’t matter what our differences are; when we come together to help those in need, it unites us in a common goal and breaks down barriers.

So, let’s all make an effort to help others whenever we can. Whether it’s through volunteering, donating, or simply being there for someone in need, our actions can have a profound impact on the world. Let’s be the change we want to see and spread love, kindness, and compassion wherever we go.

Remember, no act of kindness is ever too small. Together, we can make this world a better place for everyone. Thank you.

>>>> Read Also : ” Short Paragraph On Friendship & Its Importance  “

Q: What is the importance of helping others?

A: The importance of helping others lies in fostering empathy, building stronger communities, and making a positive impact on individuals and society.

Q: Why is it important to help others essay?

A: An essay on why it’s important to help others can emphasize the value of compassion, social cohesion, personal growth, and its contribution to creating a better and more harmonious world.

Q: How can I help others? (10 points)

• Volunteer your time and skills.
• Donate to charitable organizations.
• Offer emotional support to friends and family.
• Mentor or tutor someone in need.
• Perform random acts of kindness.
• Participate in community clean-up efforts.
• Visit and assist the elderly or homebound individuals.
• Take part in blood drives or consider organ donation.
• Raise awareness about important social causes.
• Support local businesses and artists in your community.

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Relationships

Listen rather than offering advice.

It can be tough to know exactly what to do when a friend is going through a crisis. Whether they're going through a breakup , a death in their family, a health issue, or something else entirely, you'll want to give them as much support as possible. But the right words don't always come to mind. Even when you're trying to help, it can feel like you're getting it all wrong.

It's important not to judge yourself for being a bit unsure of what to say in these moments. "It can often feel intimidating or uncomfortable," Allie Friedmann, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, tells Bustle. People can isolate themselves during tough times, Friedmann says, or cope differently than you might have predicated, which further complicates the issue.

"When trying to help a friend , it is important to meet that friend where [they are]," Friedmann says. "You may want to solve the problem or want your friend's negative feelings to go away, but if [they are] not ready, then your efforts could feel like an attack or dismissal, rather than supportive."

Here’s how to support a friend going through a difficult time, according to experts.

Offer To Hang Out

If you don't know what to do or say, start by hanging out. "Just being there, without expectation or distraction, means a lot," Rev. Connie L. Habash, MA, LMFT , a licensed marriage and family therapist, tells Bustle. "Many people don’t take the time to simply be present with each other, even if it’s just washing dishes together, taking a walk, or hanging out on the couch."

It's so simple yet so effective. Give them your attention, Habash says, and they will feel valued, loved, and cared for.

Be There & Listen

If you're trying to give advice and coming up empty, that's actually OK. "When someone we love is going through pain and sorrow, we feel pressure to have to say something, to come up with a way to make them feel better ," Habash says. But often it's best to just listen and let them express themselves.

"They need to know that you can tolerate being with them in their pain, and that someone understands what they’re going through," Habash says.

Save The Advice For Later

In the same vein, resist the urge to offer advice or find solutions to their problems, Friedmann says, unless they want that.

"Listen first, with curiosity and without judgment," she suggests. "It is uncomfortable to sit with people's negative emotions, but offering solutions without being asked can often feel like you are dismissing [their] feelings, rather than creating a space for them to experience what it is that's hurting them."

Not to mention, things like breakups and deaths can't be fixed. "Showing we care enough to listen without an agenda," Friedmann says, "is how we can support friends going through these experiences."

Validate Their Feelings

One way to respond without offering advice is by validating their feelings. If they tell you about their problem and say they're scared, Friedmann says, try responding with, "That is so hard and scary. It makes so much sense why you feel this way given what's going on. I'm here to listen."

There are lots of ways you can be a better listener to your friend. Try reflecting back what's been said by offering a quick recap of what they've shared so far, in a natural way. "Reflection and summary help convey to your friend that you are both listening and hearing what [they are] saying," Friedmann says.

Avoid Using Clichés

There's lots of advice out there that sounds good but isn't actually very helpful, which is why it's often best to simply say, "I don't know what to say" if you're at a loss, Salina Schmidgall, M.Ed, PLPC, NCC , a national certified counselor, tells Bustle.

It's refreshing and better than falling back on a tired cliché like, "There are plenty of fish in the sea" or "It's all going to be OK," Schmidgall says.

Run Errands For Them

If your friend is busy dealing with a crisis, offering to help with their everyday chores can come as a huge relief.

"Doing the laundry or running to the grocery store for [them] may ease up their stress and make it easier to deal with their troubles," Habash says. "It will also convey how much you care about them." Send a quick text and see if they need anything, or choose a time to stop by with a few grocery staples. It's a good way to show you care.

Ask How You Can Help

If you're unsure how to support a friend, ask what they'd prefer.

"Oftentimes when we help a friend who is going through a crisis [...] we tend to care and support them in a way that we would want to be cared for and supported," Dr. Holly N. Sawyer, PhD, MS, LPC, NCC, CAADC , a licensed psychotherapist with Life First Therapy, LLC, tells Bustle. But they may want something entirely different.

While you may need to vent and cry, they may crave a little time alone, or vice versa. Focus on who your friend is as a person, and cater your response to them. If they aren't sure what they need, it's best not to force them to do something, even if it seems like it would help. Being there is enough, Sawyer says.

Keep Checking In

If you haven't heard from your friend, don't hesitate to send a text to find out how they are. And keep doing so, possibly even longer than seems necessary.

"We shouldn’t be scared to check in with our friend and simply ask if they want to talk about it or not," Vicki Smith, LPC , a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapist, tells Bustle. Sometimes people need to talk about their feelings for months, Smith says.

But don't push them to talk if they don't want to. "If we push, the person goes into their shell like a turtle or snaps at us to back off," Smith says. "That is simply a signal they aren’t ready. But it doesn’t hurt to keep showing them you are there when they are ready."

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Another way to find out what they need is by asking open-ended questions, Friedmann says. This will create space for them to share how they're feeling and let you know what they need.

It can also be comforting, if they're OK with it, to use non-verbal body language while you're chatting in order to convey care, Friedmann says. Think about placing your arm on their shoulder, offering a hug, or sitting close to them on the couch.

Take Care Of Yourself

There are a lot of nice things to do for a friend going through a hard time. However, sometimes this leads into you neglecting your own needs, which doesn’t help anyone.

“It may sound counterintuitive when someone you love is struggling, but they need to know you're alright,” Nicole Richardson, LPC-S, LMFT-S , licensed marriage and family therapist, tells Bustle. As she point out, when you’re on an airplane, they tell you in an emergency to put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others. “When someone you care about is struggling, taking care of yourself allows the person who is struggling to get your best, which is what they need,” says Richardson.

Leave Space For Joy

Depending on the situation your friend is going through, it doesn’t have to be all straight-faced seriousness 24/7. Sometimes a little lighthearted distraction is all a person needs to lift their spirits, even if only for a moment.

“Even in the darkest times, there are opportunities for laughter and light,” offers Richardson. “It's OK to tell a joke or be silly sometimes. If your friend isn't ready to laugh, that's OK — they just aren't ready yet.” What’s important is that you’re there for them, and making them smile will come along eventually.

Get Moving With Them

Ever go on one of those “mental health walks” TikTok loves so much (“going on a silly little walk for my silly mental health”)? Taking a second to get outside and clear your head can do wonders for the psyche.

“When someone is suffering, it can be important to move around and get some air,” says Richardson. “Offer to go for a walk with them or even a long drive. Fresh air and sunlight can be powerful reminders of life, especially if you can get in nature.” If they’re feeling really down, your friend might not want to initiate a walk or a drive — that’s why it’s important to have an encouraging friend (aka you) who can help motivate them to get up and going.

There's no right answer when it comes to helping a friend in crisis. But you can certainly show how much you care by finding ways to be there for them.

Allie Friedmann, LCSW , licensed clinical social worker and therapist

Rev. Connie L. Habash, MA, LMFT , licensed marriage and family therapist

Salina Schmidgall, M.Ed, PLPC, NCC , national certified counselor

Dr. Holly N. Sawyer, PhD, MS, LPC, NCC, CAADC , licensed psychotherapist with Life First Therapy, LLC

Vicki Smith, LPC , licensed professional counselor and psychotherapist

Nicole Richardson, LPC-S, LMFT-S , licensed marriage and family therapist

This article was originally published on Feb. 22, 2020

Why Some People Get Through Hard Times Better Than Others

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15 Min Read

Happiness doesn’t come to you. It takes deliberate work each day to create a story you want to live in. Soon that work is a habit, and you’ve created a space for happiness to stick around.

—Lucille Zimmerman

There is a well-supported subcategory of positive psychology researched by Barbara Fredrickson called the Broaden-and-Build theory. I’ll let Wikipedia describe it:

“The broaden-and-build theory suggests that positive emotions (enjoyment/happiness/joy, and perhaps interest/anticipation) broaden one’s awareness and encourage novel, varied, and exploratory thoughts and actions. Over time, this broadened behavioral repertoire builds skills and resources. For example, curiosity about a landscape becomes valuable navigational knowledge; pleasant interactions with a stranger become a supportive friendship; aimless physical play becomes exercise and physical excellence. Interestingly, negative emotions serve a purpose as well; however, they prompt narrow, immediate survival-oriented behaviors. For example, the negative emotion of anxiety leads to the specific fight-or-flight response for immediate survival. Positive emotions do not have any immediate survival value, because they take one’s mind off immediate needs and stressors. However, over time, the skills and resources built by broadened behavior enhance survival. Research has shown that individuals who increase the amount of positive emotions that they experience are better able to find positive meaning in their negative circumstances.”

Recently, I was at the warm therapy pool and saw afriend of mine from church. While playing with our water weights, we talked about a car accident she had experienced a year ago when a teenage driver plowed into her. The last fourteen months had included massive pain and rehabilitation as well as a stack of medical bills, yet my friend had a can-do attitude and a pleasant look on her face. This made it easy for me to enjoy being around her. We bounced, laughed, and talked. If she hadn’t been pleasant—and that would have been expected—I may have found our conversation to be taxing and may have shortened our time together. If numerous people avoided her over time, it’s likely her demeanor, and subsequently her healing, would have been negatively impacted. She might have felt sad and stayed at home rather than going to the pool to connect with others and exercise. My point is not to say people can’t be sad or angry, but to show how the ability to create positive coping strategies has an exponential affect.

I logged onto my Facebook page and read a friend’s post: “I woke up extremely snarky. I’m not a big fan of this state of mind. Worship music, coffee, some time with Jesus, coffee, the Word, and coffee will turn me around.” She is doing exactly what Fredrickson’s theory describes. Compare the woman at the pool and my friend’s reaction to the person who never relents from telling you her latest hardship or crises. Sadly, Eeyores alienate others and then find themselves lonely and without the resources they so desperately need.

Positive emotions in the elderly protect against physical debility in old age and are also associated with larger social rewards. These include higher odds of marriage and lower odds of divorce, more friends, stronger social support, richer social interactions, superior work outcomes (productivity, higher quality of work, higher income), and more activity, energy, and flow. Happy people are more likely to evidence greater self-control and self-regulatory and coping abilities and live longer. They tend to be more cooperative, social, charitable, and others-centered. 

People may falsely believe that life going well will give them the opportunity to be happy. What they don’t understand is that their deliberate creation of a positive mood makes life go well, albeit not problem-free. Coping strategies related to the occurrence and maintenance of positive emotions (positive reappraisal, problem-focused coping, infusing ordinary events with positive meaning) helps buffer stress and depressed moods. These strategies help people emerge from crises with new coping skills, closer relationships, and a richer appreciation for life. Positive emotions amid adversity may provide the necessary psychological rest to help buffer against stress, replenish, and restore further coping efforts.

It seems crazy to talk about inviting fun and laughter back into our lives if we have experienced horrendous trauma, but it is essential. Recent research tells us that positive emotions such as joy, amusement, contentment, and serenity seem to speed recovery as “undoers” of negative emotion and associated arousal within the nervous system. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I might use this research to focus on and amplify the times when fun, laughter, contentment, or serenity was present in my client’s life. For example, one of my current clients has a hard time loving herself. At our last appointment, I pointed out the way she used a silly photo and funny words to create connection with her sons. I pointed out how thoughtful she was to her mother-in-law. In spite of her difficult childhood, my client is a sensitive and compassionate person. I think of resilience as a practice or activity rather than a quality. I try to implement it into my daily life and teach it to my clients.

Positive emotions restore our body’s physiological activation to levels prior to the psychological arousal associated with stress responses (fight, flight, or freeze), and reset psychological openness to a broader range of possible actions. Other research has found that people who experience positive emotion amid bereavement are more likely to develop long-term plans and goals, and more likely to find positive meaning in their distress. (Tugade, 2004) 

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, shared a letter on Facebook a month after her husband’s death from a treadmill accident: “I have lived thirty years in these thirty days,” she wrote. “I am thirty years sadder,” but she also shared that she felt “thirty years wiser.” In her 2,000-word essay, she described how her understanding of motherhood has been redefined as she grieves alongside her children, and how her relationship with her own mother has deepened. She wrote about it in Option B , the book she and psychologist Adam Grant wrote. (Sandberg, 2017)

Evidence shows that the broaden-and-build theory produces patterns of thought that are unusual, flexible, creative, integrative, open to information, and efficient. In simple words: The more you use positive, flexible, creative thoughts and behaviors, the more of them you will have access to when negative times come! (Fredrickson B., 2011) The arsenal of personal resources produced by positive emotions can be drawn on in times of need and used to plan for future outcomes, which may be valuable in facilitating healthy behavioral practices.

Resilience is defined as flexibility in response to changing situational demands and the ability to bounce back from negative emotional experiences. Trait-resilient people experience positive emotions even during stressful events, which may explain their ability to rebound successfully despite adversity. This morning, for example, someone who didn’t like my post on Facebook responded angrily. It felt harsh. If this had happened ten years ago, I might have reacted by lashing out, deleting my post, or deleting my account altogether. Since I see many people saying they are afraid to share their views, and since I’ve struggled for so long to find my voice, I tried to remain positive. I gently shared my belief, backed up by research, and apologized for offending her. I told her it was important for everyone to be able to express his or her views as long as they did so respectfully. I think my reaction is an example of resilience. Resilient people not only cultivate positive emotions in themselves, but are also skilled at eliciting positive emotions in others. These benefits can accrue and accumulate. The relations between positive emotions and broad-minded coping became stronger, creating an upward spiral toward enhanced well-being.

Often, it’s hard to stay positive. Sometimes the ability to put ourselves out there, reassess, and choose good coping skills isn’t present. Sometimes it’s okay to let despair be a tool we use, if it doesn’t become our permanent home.My daughter and I rarely have an argument, but one morning we had a doozy. I was barely awake, hadn’t had my coffee, and was trying to say goodbye to my husband when the phone rang. My daughter needed to talk about something that had upset her. What resulted was a series of text messages with both of us saying things we didn’t mean. We were both in emotional pain. I’m not sure what went on inside her mind, but mine succumbed to despair. I thought, “Fine, I’m a bad mom. I wasn’t there when she needed me. I can’t get it right.” I sent my daughter a note of apology and went to the swimming pool to swim laps for thirty minutes. When I got home, I learned my husband had talked to her for a long time. She just needed to be heard. A few hours later, we apologized to each other.

Robert Emmons, one of the world’s leading scientific experts on gratitude, tells us to remember the bad. He says trials and suffering can refine and deepen gratefulness if we allow them to teach us not to take things for granted. “Crisis can make us more grateful, but research says gratitude also helps us cope with crisis. Consciously cultivating an attitude of gratitude builds up a sort of psychological immune system that can cushion us when we fall. Thereis scientific evidence that grateful people are more resilient to stress, whether it’s minor everyday hassles or major personal upheavals. The contrast between suffering and redemption serves as the basis for one of my tips for practicing gratitude: remember the bad.

It works this way: Think of the worst times in your life, your sorrows, your losses, your sadness. Then remember you are here, able to remember them, that you made it through the worst times of your life, you got through the traumas and the trials, you endured the temptation, you survived the bad relationship, and you’re making your way out of the dark. Remember the bad things, then assess where you are now.

This process of remembering how difficult life used to be and how far we have come sets up an explicit contrast that is fertile ground for gratefulness. Our minds think in terms of counterfactuals: mental comparisons we make between the way things are and how things might have been different. Contrasting the present with negative times in the past can make us feel happier (or at least less unhappy), and enhance our overall sense of well-being. This opens the door to coping gratefully.”

Emmons encourages this exercise: “Think about one ofthe unhappiest events you have experienced. How often do you find yourself thinking about this event today? Does the contrast with the present make you feel grateful andpleased? Do you realize your current life situation is not as bad as it could be? Try to realize and appreciate how much better life is now. The point is not to ignore or forget the past, but to develop a fruitful frame of reference in the present from which to view experiences and events.” (Emmons, 2013)

We know that gratitude enhances happiness, but why? Gratitude maximizes happiness in multiple ways becauseit helps us reframe memories of unpleasant events in away that decreases their unpleasant emotional impacts. This implies that grateful coping entails looking for positive consequences of negative events. For example; grateful coping might involve seeing how a stressful event has shaped who we are today and has prompted us to reevaluate what is truly important in life.

To say that gratitude is a helpful strategy to handle hurt feelings does not mean that we should try to ignore or deny suffering and pain. The field of positive psychology has at times been criticized for failing to acknowledge the value of negative emotions. Barbara Held of Bowdoin College in Maine, for example, argues that positive psychology has been too negative about negativity and too positive about positivity. (Emmons, 2013) To deny that life has its share of disappointments, frustrations, losses, hurts, setbacks, and sadness would be unrealistic and untenable. Life is suffering. No amount of positive thinking exercises will change this truth. In her book Learning to Walk in the Dark , Barbara Brown Taylor says, “One of the hardest things to decide during a dark night is whether to surrender or resist. The choice often comes down to what you believe about God and how God acts, which means that every dark night of the soul involves wrestling with belief.” (Brown, B. 2015)

Telling people simply to buck up, count their blessings,and remember how much they have to be grateful for can certainly do harm. Processing a life experience through a grateful lens does not mean denying negativity. Gratitude is not a form of superficial “happiology.” Instead, it means realizing the power you have to transform an obstacle into an opportunity. Posttraumatic growth means reframing a loss into a potential gain, recasting negativity into positive channels for gratitude.

In a study conducted at Eastern Washington University, participants were randomly assigned to one of three writing groups that would recall and report on an unpleasant open memory; a loss, a betrayal, victimization, or some other personally upsetting experience. The first group wrote for twenty minutes on issues that were irrelevant to their open memories. The second wrote about their experiences pertaining to their open memories. Researchers asked the third group to focus on the positive aspects of their difficult experiences and discover what about them might now make them feel grateful. (Emmons, 2013)

Results showed that the third group demonstrated more closure and less unpleasant emotional impact than participants who only wrote about the experience without being prompted to see ways it might be redeemed with gratitude. Participants were never told not to think about the negative aspects of the experience or to deny or ignore the pain. Moreover, participants who found reasons to be grateful demonstrated fewer intrusive memories, such as wondering why it happened, whether it could have been prevented, or if they believed they caused it to happen. Thinking gratefully, this study showed, can help heal troubling memories and, in a sense, redeem them—a result echoed in many other studies.

Emmons asked people with debilitating physical illnesses to compose narratives concerning times when they felt a deep sense of gratitude to someone or for something.He asked them to let themselves recreate their experiences in their minds so that they could feel the emotions as if they had transported themselves back in time to the event itself. He also had them reflect on what they felt inthose situations and how they expressed those feelings. In the face of progressive diseases, people often find life extremely challenging, painful, and frustrating. 

Emmons wondered whether it would even be possible for these people struggling with debilitating illnesses to find anything to be grateful about. For many of them, life revolved around visits to pain clinics and pharmacies. Emmons says he would not have been at all surprised if resentment over- shadowed gratefulness.

• As it turned out, most respondents had trouble settling on specific instances—they simply had so much in their lives that they were grateful for. Emmons was struck by the profound depth of feeling that they conveyed in their essays and by the apparent life-transforming power of gratitude in many feeling.
• Gratitude for gifts that others easily overlook most can be the most powerful and frequent form of thankfulness.
• Gratitude can be chosen despite one’s situation or circumstances.

Emmons was struck by the redemptive twists that occurred in nearly half of these narratives: out of something bad (suffering, adversity, affliction) came something good (new life or new opportunities) for which the respondents felt profoundly grateful. (Emmons, 2013)

Some argue that it’s impossible to be grateful amid suffering. When life is going well, when there’s abundance, then sure, we can be grateful. But what about when we’re facing hard times? Gratitude is not only possible in those circumstances, it’s also vital to helping us get through them. When faced with adversity, gratitude helps us see the big picture and not feel overwhelmed by the setbacks we’re facing in the moment. The attitude of gratitude can motivate us to tackle the challenges before us. Without a doubt, it can be hard to take this grateful perspective, but research suggests it is possible and worth it.

————–

Brown, B. (2015) Learning to Walk in the Dark . HarperOne

Emmons, R. (2013) How Gratitude Can Help You Through Hard Times , Retrieved from Greater Good: https://greater-good.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_can_hlep_you_through_hard_times.

Sandberg, S. (2017). Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy , Knopf.

Tugade, Fredrickson, and Barrett (2004) Psychological Resilience and Positive Emotional Granularity, Journal of Personality , 2004

Essay About Helping Others. Always Do Good

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Two Secrets

There are two simple secrets about which people always forget or don’t know them at all. The first is: when you are giving something, you will most likely get something back! People will notice your generosity and maybe the will be also generous according to you. It is like a pleasant bonus, but you don’t need to do good things just hoping to get something back. Only kindness with the true motives are describes in this secret. In the Bible we can read the next statement: practice giving and people will give to you. And the next one is: for with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.

And the second secret is that helping others, you help yourself. Remember that it is much better to give than to get. It is simple law but it gives people the great satisfaction and feeling of happiness. It would be wonderful if you will find the person for the example. You can take the Jesus Christ life for the great example, or the mother Teresa or somebody who you know personally. You are wrong if you think that there are no kindness and good people in the modern world. Of course, they are, maybe in minority, but they still are. I wish you be always above all the circumstances and always do the right things.

Trifles are very important

Listening to the problems of other people without making judgments is one of the best deeds that you can do. Most people know the answers on the questions they have encountered. They just did not realize it yet. Allowing them to talk about their problems, you help them find their way and understand what they should do. Sometimes they may need support and help to start a new life. You can help them avoid the mistakes you made yourself, and also help them to start learning from the mistakes that they will inevitably do in the future. In your life, you will often see that with someone has acted unfairly. Be ready to help such people. In this cruel modern world it I really very difficult to find the justice and don’t try to find it. Just do not despair and do not let others do it. If something can save this world it will be the unselfish kindness.

And always bring the matter to the end. If you have started helping someone, as a mentor or defending the rights of others and do not stop halfway. Never, after all, you will surrender yourself and at the same time disappoint those, who wanted to help.

From the personal experience

Sometimes when I tired or just want to have a rest, sitting in front of the TV or computer, I think that soon my mom will come back from her job and she will be more tired than I am. At such moments I stand up and go to the kitchen to prepare the hot supper for my mom and something she can take for the dinner at work. I also tried to control that the flat should be clean at the evening. It seems such a trifle, but my mom will be really happy and satisfied after the difficult busy day to sit at the warm kitchen and drink a hot cup of tea. No matter how tired my mother was, she will always notice what I did for her and she will smile and say thanks my dear. And for the sake of her smile, for the sake of the expressing joy in her eyes, I am ready to do this every evening, even if my own day was not very easy. Mother’s happiness always motivates me to do something good. And I think that the same should be in everyone’s life. We always get satisfaction if we helped someone to be a little happier. Let's do good everywhere and always and this world will change for the better!

I also think that if children grow up and have the well-paid job they can support their parents financially. Is this not showing kindness? You can buy your mother a new phone, and maybe the computer of your father is rather old? Always remember that time, when your parents were young they did everything for you and maybe it is the high time to answer them in the same way?

5 reasons why to help others

We help different people for different reasons. There is some category of people who can’t live if they don’t help others. Others can help just to be thankful for something. Mostly it all depends on the person and her/his wishes ( https://livecustomwriting.com/blog/habits-that-will-be-useful-in-your-life ). Sometimes we help other people as we want to think that we are a kind person. Sometimes we need to improve our mood, to feel ourselves nobler, be sure that somebody needs us. But the interesting fact is that helping others, we can improve our health.

1) Helping others? You will live longer. Different scientists from different countries made special researches and in 2013 they came to the same conclusion: we can really live longer if we start to help other disinterestedly. According to this statistical data, we can reduce mortality by 22%. Many people ask how many we should help others. According to the researches 100 hours will be enough, but it is not the standard, you can help just 50-75 hours and it also will be useful for you. But you need remember about the main thing, your helping should be regularly and systematic. 

2) Improving mood and well-being. Helping others, we improve our mood. The scientists are sure that it’s enough five little acts of kindness during the week (do it for 6 weeks) and you will notice that your well-being is much better. It is very important to know that one-off help doesn’t matter. And the positive results after helping can quickly disappear. That’s why it is important often to help and gladly and derive benefit from it. If you like to help others it seems to me that you will never suffer from depression.

3) More communication. When you help other people you need to communicate with them. Who knows, maybe you will find new friend or the twin soul. Loneliness can badly influence on your health. Those, who are surrounded with kind people, have a long and happy life.

4) You will have lower blood pressure. In 1998 were organized interesting scientist researches. As a result, older people (over 50 years old), who decided to spend about 4 hours per week helping others, had a 40% less chance of developing hypertension in the next four years. The scientists consider that the positive effect of helping can be connected with stress reduction. Volunteering can motivate you to become better and better, positively adjusts and gives support to cope with daily troubles.

5) Less pain. If you are suffering from the chronic illness, you feel the discomfort from time to time but you can avoid this feeling. Just start to help those people, who have the same disease as you have. Even in a hospital, if you’ll help others, you will feel much better, become more confidence, receive positive energy and be able to control the situation.

It is also very interesting that all the described advantages for your health are impossible if you help by the way or just give money to beggars. The main thing is your personal participation and systematic.

How can I help other people

In our helping others essay we want to give you some simple ideas. After reading them, you can start making kind acts right now. You can help your family:

• vacuuming the apartment, wash dishes, clean the floor if nobody asks you to do it;
• cook something for dinner;
• give your parents a card with the words how you love and appreciate them;
• help your brother or sister to cope with the home tasks.

You can also help others:

• visit somebody in the hospital;
• help your old neighbor to do something about the house;
• give present to those persons, who has great difficulties now.

In this help others essay we just gave you some simple examples ( https://livecustomwriting.com/blog/avoid-doing-this-thing-to-become-confident ), and I am sure that if you stop and think a little, you will create the dozens way to help others. Set the goal to help one person this week and be ready to see the miracles. Remember, that we can also help you. The company can write essay for you but for the nominal fee, of course. In fact, we can all help each other, we can be part of a mechanism that promotes cooperation and, finally, we ourselves can create better conditions for our lives.

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Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

The Many Ways We Helped Each Other During COVID

When the pandemic first came to California and lockdowns were instituted, many of my neighbors set out to help each other. Some called elderly neighbors to be sure they were OK. Others collaborated with local restaurants to create a low-cost food delivery service, feeding people around the city while helping restaurants find a source of income during closures. Still others began a drive to collect masks for essential workers.

These acts of altruism warmed my heart. But what motivated some neighbors to step up to do this, while others didn’t? And is altruism enough when it comes to disaster relief?

Those were the questions at the heart of a new study published in Analyses of Social Issues and Policy .

To better understand how altruism emerged during COVID-19, the researchers analyzed 104 stories of altruism appearing in major newspapers and blogs that were compiled by Ball State University between April and October 2020. They wanted to see if any themes emerged around who the helpers were, why they stepped up, whom they helped, and what kinds of help they offered. The ultimate goal was to paint a picture of how people ally with each other when disaster strikes and how they expand their sense of community.

“We were trying to understand how people come together,” says lead author Selin Tekin. “We wanted to know what kind of strategies people used to support each other and how the wider community can support those most affected.”

While some of the stories she and her team analyzed came from different parts of the world—India, Australia, and England, for example—the majority came from the United States, so the results are somewhat American-centric. But the stories do give a picture of a phenomenon that’s frequently seen when disaster strikes. 

“A sense of community often appears in disasters when there are not adequate responses from the authorities or the government, or when there are contradictory messages from the government,” says Tekin. “Community members come together and share whatever resources they have.”

How people stepped up during COVID

Here’s what Tekin and her colleagues found when analyzing the stories.

Who helped. Many people who helped others during the pandemic belonged to organizations, associations, and faith communities that generally provide help to others, although some were volunteers who spontaneously decided to help. And many were economically or physically advantaged.

It makes sense that organizations set up to provide assistance would do so during the pandemic, and many did, including Catholic Social Services of Alaska, for example. When it became clear homeless people in Anchorage would be at risk of catching COVID in crowded shelters, the organization searched for private places for homeless people to live and helped move them into safer quarters.

Others stepped up once they became aware that certain groups were disproportionately impacted by COVID. Those with greater economic resources gave more generously, while younger people tended to offer their labor. As an example, one Yale college student and his friend put together a group of 1,300 volunteers in 72 hours to deliver groceries and medicine to older New Yorkers and other vulnerable people.

Many people volunteered spontaneously, too, after seeing a pressing need. At one petrochemical plant , 43 employees volunteered to work 12-hour shifts for a month just to produce raw materials needed for face masks and surgical gowns. This kind of volunteer spirit was similar to what I saw with my neighbors—a response that is fairly typical, according to Tekin.

“There are always volunteers who are willing to help their communities,” she says.

Why people stepped up to help. The main reasons people chose to help were that they felt an emerging sense of identity with those most affected by COVID, they wanted to be an ally of disadvantaged groups, and they felt grateful for those risking their own health to help.

Research has shown that those who have a strong sense of “we are in it together” are more likely to help in a crisis than those who don’t, and that was true during COVID, too. In many instances, people expressed feeling a sense of identity with those who were suffering. For example, one artist in Los Angeles sent thousands of paintings of flowers to health care workers in New York City to let them know, “You’re loved by millions of people you’ll never meet. You’re not a stranger to anyone.”

There were also many examples of people wanting to help the disadvantaged. One café owner in Australia withdrew 10,000 Australian dollars from his bank and gave out $100 bills to people standing in line for the social security offices. In India, a group of women began cooking extra food for immigrant workers who were suffering during the lockdown.

In other cases, people wanted to express their thanks to those who were doing essential work during the pandemic. One neighborhood in Miami Beach organized an early-morning surprise for their garbage collectors, lining their street with people holding up signs and putting together gift bags, cards, and presents as a token of their gratitude.

Who was helped. The people most targeted for altruistic help were the elderly, those with health conditions or disabilities, essential workers, working-class people, or marginalized social groups.

For example, many store owners created special store hours when only the elderly or disabled could shop to reduce their risks of getting COVID. One woman created a mask that had a clear, plastic window over the mouth so that people who are deaf or hard of hearing could still use lip reading to understand those around them. When food insecurity rose during COVID, the FarmLink Project stepped up to deliver food that was being left unused at farms, delivering almost 240,000 pounds of food to food banks, and paid wages to farmworkers and other workers affected economically by COVID.

Greater Good’s Guide to Well-Being During Coronavirus

Practices, resources, and articles for individuals, parents, and educators facing COVID-19

How people were helped. People provided material help, support for psychological or physical well-being, and social-emotional support.

Some people donated money, cooked and distributed food, or ran errands for those who couldn’t leave their house. Others distributed masks to those who had trouble procuring them or offered free counseling services to those suffering emotionally. Still others made calls to lonely, isolated folks or participated in rituals aimed at thanking health care workers on the frontlines (like clapping from their balconies).

Of all of these findings, the latter surprised Tekin most. “I was fascinated by how, even if people can’t give any kind of material support, they show their gratitude; they show that they’re aware of the support that they are receiving,” she says.

She notes many working-class and ethnic minority populations were disproportionately affected by the pandemic and didn’t receive an adequate response from authorities. So, it was heartening to Tekin to see that, when confronted with an outside threat, people can choose to help, whether or not government authorities intervene.

“People share an emergent identity, a human identity,” she says. “Here, we saw people with more financial or material resources willing to share with the disproportionately affected. It wasn’t surprising, exactly, because we’d seen this in previous research. But it’s always interesting.”

Lessons for times of crisis

All in all, these patterns show that in a crisis, people do often step up to help one another. This is good news that can be obscured by news reports of less ideal behavior—like hoarding toilet paper or jumping the line for vaccinations. When there is a sense of common humanity—that we’re in it together—it can encourage more people to feel more moved to help.

“Even though the system is not structured in a way that everybody can receive the same amount of resources under the principles of equity, community members can come together and support each other,” says Tekin. “People just need to be aware of that.”

On the other hand, our altruistic impulses are not enough, says Tekin. As the pandemic drags on, people’s enthusiasm to give tends to wane, even though the need continues. To combat that, it’s incumbent upon community aid groups and government agencies to provide support to those who continue to suffer disproportionately, she says.

“You need change at the systemic level—policies that deal with injustice or that help community aid groups to be more sustainable, because they are usually the people who know their communities best,” says Tekin.

In the meantime, it’s good to see that people are usually capable of expanding their circle of care and stepping up to help.

“Though there is a gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged, there’s also support,” says Tekin. “People don’t always know what to do to help, but they’re willing to do something.”

About the Author

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

You May Also Enjoy

Some of the Most Inspiring Moments from 2020

Eight Acts of Goodness Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

What Are We Grateful for During COVID-19?

Helping Others Can Help You Feel Better During the Pandemic

Helping Others Can Help You Cope with Lockdown

How to Keep the Greater Good in Mind During the Coronavirus Outbreak

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