studies by Maria Pagano, Ph.D., an as- sociate professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, found that recovering addicts that volunteer to help other addicts stay sober are twice as likely to remain so themselves. That’s because narcissism and self-absorption are often at the root of addiction, and generosity is an anti- dote to narcissism, Pagano says. “The founders of AA (Alcoholics
Anonymous) figured it out,” Pagano continues, noting that a primary focus is on serving oth- ers. “They figured out that this selfish root is there before the illness develops, and is sustained unless you treat it. This is treatment; it is a way of continually weeding out the narcissism that made you sick.”
Born to Give Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., an associ- ate professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook, is the daughter of an evolutionary psychologist and a pioneer in the study of altruism’s neurobio-
logical roots. In sharp contrast to what she describes as the long-held “self- interested” assumption about human nature (that we help others only to help ourselves), she suggests that humans are biologically wired to be empathetic and generous. “It makes more sense from an
evolutionary perspective for us to sup- press self-interest,” for the benefit of the whole sometimes, she says. New research from the University of Wash- ington suggests that babies as young as 15 months old exhibit fairness and empathy. So, why don’t we always stop to
help? Our anxious, busy, modern-day lives get in the way, suggests Brown. “It could be that our natural, default state is to help when we see need, but what prevents that is our stress response.” That is, stress often gets in the way:
Maybe we pass a stranded motorist on the road, but drive on by because we’re on a timetable. Perhaps our instinct is to offer a helping hand to a homeless person, but we fear that more will be asked of us than we are prepared to give. We wish to bring a meal to a dy-
ing relative, but are apprehensive about what to say when we visit. Brown’s recent federally funded
studies show that at least some of the calming hormones and quietness of heart often seen in habitual givers may actually precede and enable their acts of selflessness by interrupting their potential stress response before it stalls their helping hand. “I am suggesting that when you see help- ing going on, something beneficial has already happened
to the giver’s body,” says Brown. When givers perceive a need, instead of fretting and
fleeing, they calmly stop to help. In the end, everyone walks away feeling a little more generous.
Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at
LisaAnnMarshall.com.
How to Up Our Generosity Quotient
ing from shouting at a referee at a sporting event. “People can become more empathetic if they just practice taking someone else’s perspective,” says University of Michigan researcher Sara Konrath. “When encountering a homeless person, for example, our inclination may be to not go there psychologically, because it is painful to imagine. Allow yourself to try.”
F
n Do something for nothing. “This idea that everything has to be paid back hangs over our lives,” says Stephen Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping. “Just be generous and expect nothing in return. Pay it forward.”
22 Rockland & Orange Counties
ocus on someone else for a change, whether it’s looking a store clerk in the eye or refrain-
n Don’t reserve your generosity for people you know. Do something nice for someone you don’t know or will never meet.
n Be consistent. “Don’t think you can be kind in one domain and dastardly in another,” says Post.
n Do something that you feel called upon to do, or that you are good at.
n Slow down, take a deep breath and look around. Need abounds. Stop to help a stranger in some small way, even if you are in a hurry.
n Don’t help just to get healthy, im- press your friends or get a tax deduc- tion. “Motivation matters,” says Kon- rath. “If you are volunteering just for
naturalawakeningsro.com
self-interested reasons, research shows you aren’t going to live any longer than someone who doesn’t volunteer at all.”
n Volunteer for a cause you really believe in, or help a person you truly care about.
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