The practice of expanding your focus beyond self-centered concerns to help others is supported by extensive scientific research showing profound benefits for mental health, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. This pillar focuses on service and contribution as essential components of a fulfilling life.
Research using fMRI technology has shown that acts of altruism and service activate pleasure and reward centers in the brain. A study at the National Institute of Health found that when people make charitable donations, the brain's mesolimbic reward system is activated — the same system that responds to food, sex, and drugs. This creates what researchers call the "helper's high," a neurochemical elevation of endorphins and dopamine that creates a sense of euphoria and wellbeing.
Source: Moll, J., Krueger, F., Zahn, R., Pardini, M., de Oliveira-Souza, R., & Grafman, J. (2006). Human fronto-mesolimbic networks guide decisions about charitable donation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(42), 15623-15628.
Multiple longitudinal studies have demonstrated a significant relationship between acts of service and increased lifespan. Research from the University of Michigan followed over 2,700 people for a decade and found that those who regularly volunteered had a mortality rate 2.5 times lower than non-volunteers, even after controlling for other factors. Similar studies have shown reduced rates of heart disease and lower blood pressure in regular volunteers.
Source: Konrath, S., Fuhrel-Forbis, A., Lou, A., & Brown, S. (2012). Motives for volunteering are associated with mortality risk in older adults. Health Psychology, 31(1), 87-96.
Research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found a significant correlation between acts of kindness and improved mental health. A meta-analysis of 27 experimental studies showed that people who engaged in prosocial behaviors reported greater psychological wellbeing, decreased symptoms of depression, and increased life satisfaction compared to control groups.
Source: Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329.
Research has shown a strong connection between service to others and recovery from addiction. A 10-year study published in the journal Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly found that alcoholics who helped others during their recovery were twice as likely to maintain sobriety. The act of shifting focus from self to others appears to be a powerful mechanism for breaking the cycle of addiction.
Source: Pagano, M. E., Friend, K. B., Tonigan, J. S., & Stout, R. L. (2004). Helping other alcoholics in Alcoholics Anonymous and drinking outcomes: Findings from Project MATCH. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65(6), 766-773.
Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology demonstrated that helping others through difficult times increases our own resilience and ability to cope with challenges. When we focus on others' problems, our own difficulties are reframed in a broader context, often appearing more manageable. This perspective shift is associated with greater psychological flexibility and reduced rumination.
Source: Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111-131.
Clinical research has shown that acts of service increase feelings of self-efficacy and purpose. A study at the University of Exeter found that when people volunteer or help others, they experience significant increases in their sense of purpose, meaning, and perceived competence. These factors are strongly correlated with overall life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing.
Source: Piliavin, J. A., & Siegl, E. (2007). Health benefits of volunteering in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 48(4), 450-464.
Research shows that different forms of service yield optimal benefits depending on individual circumstances:
Research on implementation identifies these strategies for maximizing benefits:
"What makes this pillar so powerful is that it shifts our attention from our own problems to the broader world around us. When we get stuck in self-focus, particularly during difficult times, we often experience a form of psychological constriction that amplifies our suffering. By redirecting our attention and energy toward helping others, we break this pattern and tap into a profound source of meaning and purpose. The science is clear that the positive emotion generated through service isn't just a momentary boost—it contributes to lasting well-being and even physical health."
— Brett Leboff, Wellness Coach