Can giving & helping improve well-being

So, how does all this theory apply to our everyday lives when we are so busy working, travelling, shopping and fulfilling our own selfish desires? It's certainly not easy with all the pressures of our 24 hour work and wealth orientated culture, the aspirations of our peers and a endless barrage of advertising and other 'messages' telling us to 'enhance' our lives.

The fact is once we stop relentlessly focussing on our own wants and needs we realise there are so many simple ways to just reach out and help others around us in our daily lives. There's no need to do a 'Mother Theresa' and give up everything to help the poor and needy, though that is indeed a most laudable aim if you can achieve it. Here's a list of simple things I try to do when the opportunity arises:

    * Holding open doors for others, almost a forgotten courtesy that most people appreciate
    * Making an effort to give directions to those who are lost in your neighbourhood
    * Being polite and courteous to shop assistants and call centre operatives
    * Making a point of keeping in contact with those who are alone or coping with problems
    * Just a friendly hello and a smile to your neighbours in the morning
    * Giving others helpful, non judgemental advice - when asked for
    * Doing your bit to improve the environment - recycle, buy less, use less carbon
    * Being a careful and considerate road (and pavement) user
    * Picking up litter and reporting vandalism and dumping to the Council
    * Reporting minor crimes to the Police - this does actually make a difference to your area
    * Getting involved in local politics and charity work
    * And don't forget to be kind to yourself too, you are just as valuable.

These are all really obvious, simple things that most of us have been brought up to do but have forgotten about. Though simple, this does actually show that you, however briefly, care about another human being, and confirms that you are spiritually still alive. And, with any luck the other person will appreciate and thank you for what you have done for them, resulting in you feeling good about yourself for little effort. Of course there may be those who regard your actions as patronising (how many times have I heard "I'm quite capable myself, thank you"), but they are in a minority and are often just in a bad mood that day. And you must also beware of those who continually take advantage of your generosity and never repay it - I call them 'users'.

It has been scientifically shown that acting cooperatively with a community spirit does provide psychological benefits for the actor. Improved mood, higher self esteem, reduced stress and brighter outlook on the world are part of the invisible payback from doing good. All surely worth the effort.

But surely you say, all this do-gooding nonsense is outdated there's nothing in it for me.
To which I say that kindness is good for yourself and it does actually work, for you.