Science unpacked: Why helping others and giving back makes us feel good too

This Mental Health Awareness Week, Nature and Wellbeing Project Officer Chloe Orford-Desmond lets us in to the secret perk of helping others.

You may have heard of the term 'runners high' before, but have you heard the term 'helpers high'? Much like regular runners find their daily run gives them a mental boost, 'helpers high' is a similar phenomenon where the act of helping others makes us feel good.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the theme is ‘Take Action’, to support mental health for ourselves, for others and for the wider community. In our Nature & Wellbeing groups, we use the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, to help bring positive changes to mental health, including to ‘give back’ to nature and our local communities. But why does giving back or taking action, make us feel better and have a positive effect on our wellbeing?

Two people taking part in a gardening activity

Scientific studies have shown that volunteering or helping others can decrease symptoms of loneliness, anxiety and depression. It’s also been shown that volunteering reduces stress levels, improved the functioning of immune systems, and increased longevity.

Biologically it is thought that these positive effects on the body from giving back to others are driven by the release of hormones oxytocin and dopamine. Oxytocin often called the 'love hormone' is released when we feel a social connection to others, and dopamine the 'feel good' hormone is responsible for giving us a sense of pleasure. So, helping others makes us feel more connected and feel good too on a biological level. It has also been reported to reduce the levels of stress hormone cortisol as well.

Close up on hands wearing blue gloves planting a small green seedling

Psychologically helping others in our society gives us a sense of belonging and playing a role in our wider community, which gives us the feeling of purpose. All these aspects are important for our positive self-image and self-belief.

So, this Mental Health Awareness Week, keep in mind that taking action for others, or giving back to your community (or nature!), can help you feel good too.

How can I ‘take action’ during Mental Health Awareness Week, keeping nature in mind?

Invite a friend for a nature walk and talk, making time to connect with someone else, helping you and your friend!
With May in full swing, you can help wildlife by taking part in ‘No Mow May’, and encourage friends, families and neighbours to do the same too!
Download a citizen science app such as iNaturalist, to take notice of nature on your doorstep. Making time to take notice and slowing down from our busy lives, whilst also helping to contribute to scientific data collection.
Volunteering with your local green groups such as ‘Friends of Groups’, and conservation charities like Lancashire Wildlife Trust.