1 . At a time when we are all experiencing an extraordinary level of stress, science offers a simple and effective way to bolster our own emotional health. To help yourself, start by helping others.
Our bodies and minds benefit in a variety of ways when we help others. Some research has focused on the “helper’s high”. Studies show that volunteering, donating money, or even just thinking about donating money can release feel-good brain chemicals and activate the part of the brain stimulated by the pleasure of food. Studies of volunteers show that do-gooders had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol on days they did volunteer work.
In fact, the act of giving advice has been shown to be more beneficial than receiving it. In a series of studies of 2,274 people, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago found that after middle school students mentored younger students about studying, they ended up spending more time on their own homework. Overweight people who counselled others on weight loss were more motivated to lose weight themselves.
Feeling responsible for other people also can help us cope with whatever challenges life brings. Emily A. Greenfield, an associate professor of social work at Rutgers University, studied a concept called ”felt obligation“, which is measured by asking people questions such as how obligated they would feel to give money to a friend in need, even if it meant putting themselves in a bind. Dr Greenfield analysed data collected from 849 participants in an ongoing study of health and well-being that asked about felt obligation as well as health-related declines they experienced over time, such as problems carrying groceries or walking a block.
As it turned out, the people who had higher levels of felt obligation—meaning they were the type of people to sacrifice for others—coped better with their own life challenges.
She noted that caring for others helps us to regulate our own emotions and gain a sense of control. “When we remind a friend that social distancing measures are temporary, and this too shall pass, we are also, in effect, reminding ourselves and serving to regulate our own emotions,” she said.
1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?| A．Donating money can release brain chemicals making people feel good. |
| B．Giving advice is more beneficial than giving money. |
| C．Overweight people helping others on weight loss are discouraged from losing weight. |
| D．People having higher levels of felt obligation are less likely to help others. |
| A．improve | B．maintain |
| C．ruin | D．blow |
| A．Better handling life difficulties. |
| B．Having lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. |
| C．Expressing emotions more accurately. |
| D．Achieving a sense of control. |
| A．The Challenge for Volunteering | B．A Beneficial Attempt |
| C．The Rapid Growth of Volunteer Work | D．The Science of Helping Out |
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Today, after finishing dinner in town, my husband and I were driving back home.As we pulled over, we saw a couple
I went inside our home,
Initially, the woman
In the end, not only did I enjoy helping them, but also learned about my neighbors.
Today’s experience taught me some
