I read this in an interesting article the other day:
Human beings appear to be genetically engineered to be happiest and healthiest when we spend a lot of time selflessly helping others—and unhealthy when we’re mostly devoted to self-gratification. That’s the eye-opening conclusion of University of North Carolina researchers, based on a study of 80 volunteers. The study subjects were asked how often they felt hedonic pleasure—the kind of happiness brought about by enjoying a tasty meal or buying themselves something. They were also asked how often they contributed something important to society that gave them a deeper sense of purpose. The researchers then drew the subjects’ blood, and found that the genes of the volunteers whose lives contained lots of pleasure but little meaning were priming cells to express high levels of inflammation—which is linked to cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease—and a weaker anti-viral response to infections. “Their daily activities provide short-term happiness yet result in negative physical consequences long-term,” psychophysiologist Barbara Fredrickson tells ScienceDaily.com. People who emphasize service to others and a connection to community, on the other hand, showed a pattern of gene expression linked to less inflammation and stronger immunity. There are two distinct kinds of happiness, says study co-author Steven Cole, and “our genes can tell the difference.”
I frequently emphasize doing good deeds. It appears that science also verifies the purpose for doing so. So what are you waiting for? Perform a good deed today, tomorrow and the next day. Not only will another benefit from your actions, your soul AND your body will be healthier for it.
Your article has inspired me to volunteer again. I’ll do some work on choosing today! I do, however, question the validity of the article when it comes to inflammation, heart disease, etc. I think the connection is more physiological than having to do directly with good deeds. That is, people who are more hedonistic just don’t eat as well – and that leads to the health issues. It would be interesting to have a double blind with all people who eat right but some who do good deeds much more often. Whether doing good deeds help reduce blood pressure or not, it’s still the right thing to do.
You bring up a good point. Further studies should be in order, as the number of subjects in this one was relatively small. The study pointed to the conclusion that good deeds are linked with good health, not necessarily that good deeds alone are responsible for good health. I’m delighted that you are going to resume volunteering, Stu. You’ve made my spirit smile, just as you will make your spirit and those of others smile as well.