Decades after my father was exposed to asbestos, we discovered that he had contracted pleural mesothelioma.
The pain of losing was unbearable. In my view, no other heartache compares to the loss of someone you love.
This deep pain sent me reeling into the depths of depression. He kept me locked in the dark for over a year until I started to build relationships with new friends. This is when a small light appeared in the darkness.
My despair cleared when I started helping my mother clean the house, perform minor home repairs and handling all the work of the court. I quickly realized that his help has used my own therapy.
help my mother through this personal storm helped clear my inner storm. At the time, I did not know why his help me feel better. I thought maybe took my mind my own pain ?? but there was much more at stake.
Research shows that helping others is therapeutic
Scientific research supports the idea that behavior can help make people feel better.
psychology professor and author David Myers of Hope College in Michigan, says that many of us face trials in life that leave us feeling down and depressed. Experiencing the death of a loved one can amplify those feelings of extreme distress.
When our mood is negatively affected, to find a way to help someone else can counteract these negative feelings.
Feeling better emotionally is an important step in healing from loss.
Stephen G. Post, director of the Center for Medical Humanities Research at Stony Brook University in New York, said acts of kindness can improve your health. Feel better inside and outside is a large part of picking up the pieces of your life when tragedy strikes.
The healing process
Participation in acts of altruism can make anyone suffering from sadness, depression or any negative feelings that affect mood feel better. Myers noted that a person who feels a deep pain can not give freely of themselves during their time of distress.
If a person knows the loss of a spouse, parent or someone they were extremely close with, pain can eat for a while. During this period, it is important to stay focused on spending time with family and participate in daily activities.
When people start collecting their thoughts, behaviors can help open doors for healing them.
a serious diagnosis can change their lives, especially one that requires immediate medical attention and frequent.
It can create feelings of sadness and depression, too. The key to help participate in the following conduct this kind of diagnosis is to choose activities that will not be physically overwhelming.
Examples of what you can do to help
When you are ready to help, take a moment to review the skills you have to offer and how you can use them for the benefit of other. Think about all the different ways you can help people with their physical and emotional needs.
Dr. Richard Curwin, award-winning author and educational speaker, offers a selfless acts molding system for individuals.
Curwin first suggested the selection of necessary activities. For example, you can choose to help in areas where your help is really necessary ?? a homeless person, religious programs for the needy or extracurricular programs.
Another suggestion is to choose Active that match your ability. If you are great at cooking, perhaps volunteering at a soup kitchen would be best. If you are great with tools, perhaps a carpentry assistance program would be the right choice.
He also says it is important not to force a person to help others. If the helping behavior is forced, the benefits are lost.
Small acts of kindness go a long way
People are not restricted to serving in soup kitchens or work on a church construction project.
altruistic acts can be any reason to increase the well-being of another, regardless of conscience for himself. Even a small act of kindness, such as paying for the driver behind you in the drive-thru line, can have emotional benefits. The point to engage in helping behaviors is to turn your own personal tragedy into a story of kindness.
It feel good to help someone else, even if there is no reward or reimbursement.
my father always told me that I would never go wrong when helping someone else, and in the whirlwind of his death, I really learned what it meant.
help my mother made me feel good. I felt that I helped him find the light at the end of the tunnel of pain, and our house looked good in the process. When I clean the house or mow the lawn, I felt better.
I kept busy and healing from within.
