How to Overcome Despair by Helping Others

When you are feeling depressed, you can help yourself to feel better by helping others. According to an article in The Toronto Star, "Allan Luks, who conducts research for the Institute for the Advancement of Health states that, 'Any type of good work will bring volunteers positive emotions and attitudes.'" The following steps will help you to overcome despair by helping others.

Instructions

Overcome Despair by Helping Others

• 1

  Invest time and energy. Investing a lot of time and energy into helping others will take your mind off of your own sadness. With a larger commitment of time and energy, you will cultivate better results for yourself and for the people who you are helping.

• 2

  Trust that your work is making a difference in the lives of others. Trust that the people you are helping are being genuine when they express appreciation. This will allow you to learn that you are worthy of love and that the world can become a better place.

• 3

  Commit to an attitude that is emotionally present and vulnerable while you are helping others. In doing this you will be able to truly connect with those you are helping and with other volunteers. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center states on its website that when helping others, "Alleviation of depression comes from the social integration of volunteering."