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Being an altruistic person doesn’t have to be a bad thing, as long as you don’t put the welfare of others before your own. But there are people, who are willing to spend their time , energy and money to help others, even if they do not receive anything tangible in return. What motivates them to have this type of behavior? Actually, there is an old saying that said: ‘Nobody gives a penny for four pesetas’, but what is true about this? Is it really impossible for people to be truly altruistic? Will they always want something in return?

Defend altruism

When altruism exists, it is when there is a selfless concern for others. Things are done only out of the express desire to help, it is not done out of obligation, but because it really comes from the heart to help others.

People can do many altruistic acts during the day just without realizing it. For example, holding the door of the elevator to the neighbor so that he can enter without problems, is already an altruistic gesture. But what inspires acts of kindness? There are those who even risk their own lives to save totally unknown people, for example, if someone is drowning on the beach and they try to rescue him.

Why does altruism exist

Altruism is prosocial behavior. The behavior prosocial refers to any action that benefits others, no matter what the reason or how benefits who does the action. Although altruistic acts are prosocial, not all prosocial behaviors are altruistic. For example, you can help other people because you feel guilty or because you feel like it is your obligation to do so.

There may be several reasons why altruism exists:

-Biological reasons. People are likely to help others to promote the species of the human race.

-Neurological reasons. Altruism activates the reward centers in the brain.

-Environmental reasons. We feel we are helping others if they have already done something for us before.

-Cognitive reasons. Relieve our own distress by being kind to others and thus we begin to feel better about ourselves. This could have to do with empathy or helping others to alleviate negative feelings.)

You will improve your stress

In reality, altruism also makes us feel better about life in general and we realize that it is better to give than to receive. Many times people are too busy or busy to care about helping others, but in reality, doing so can give you its own rewards, such as alleviating stress.

Altruistic acts can improve your quality of life in a number of ways and are worth the effort. Here are some ways that helping others directly helps you:

-Psychological well-being. Studies show that altruism is good for your emotional well-being and can measurably improve your peace of mind.

-More social support. When people make altruistic personal sacrifices, they end up reaping what they sow in the form of favors from others. These people earn a reputation for being altruistic and end up receiving favors from other people who may not have even directly helped. The favors and social support that you “earn” through altruism, combined with the good feelings you get from helping others, will give you a better quality of life.

-More life satisfaction. Helping others in need, especially those who are less fortunate than you, can give you a perspective on how lucky you are to have what you have in life, be it health, money, or a safe place to sleep … you will focus less on the things you lack. Helping others with their problems can also help you gain a more positive perspective on the things in life that cause you stress. 

Elle Mcdonald

I am Elle Mcdonald Specializations in Psychology . Graduated in psychology from the University of Tennessee in 2000. Diploma of Advanced Studies in the Department of Personality, Evaluation and psychological treatments with excellent results.

First Level of Master in Clinical Psychology at the Center for Behavioral Therapists (recognized with a scientific-professional nature by the College of Psychologists)

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