We all want happiness, but by chasing it, we short-circuit Mother Nature. As humans, we are wired to increase our happiness not by trying to make ourselves happy but by helping others to be happy. 

Experts say that performing acts of kindness boosts our mood and ultimately makes us more optimistic and positive. It works through our natural biological drug store. When we help someone else, our brain gets a hit of feel-good juice.

• Dopamine for achievement,
• Serotonin from being thanked and recognized for helping,
• Oxytocin for the connection made with someone else. 

All in all, that cocktail, when dosed out repeatedly, influences our happiness by giving us a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

And that’s only part of it; there are not only psychological benefits; there are physical ones, too. Compassionate people—i.e., those who are aware of others’ needs and subsequently driven to help—have been shown to have lower blood pressure, less heart disease, faster healing, and a longer life. 

This is a gift. By being of service to others—creating happiness for them—we develop a happy brain and a happy body for ourselves. It’s mutually beneficial. 

So, it’s a supreme irony: if you want to be happy, don’t focus on getting more for your happiness; focus instead on helping others to increase their happiness. 

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