Feel Better by Helping Others
Arthritis pain and stiffness can take its toll on our bodies, but it can also take a toll on us emotionally. So what do you do when you are feeling “down in the dumps”?
Sitting or laying around doing nothing does not really help. It may even make you feel worse. Instead, try doing something good for someone else. We naturally feel good about ourselves when we are doing a good deed for someone other than ourselves.
Need some ideas on what you can do to help others? Start with these:
- Help a family member
- Donate to a worthy cause
- Promote a worthy cause
- Volunteer your time to an organization
- Make dinner for a friend who could use the help
- Run errands for someone
- Give your unwanted items to someone in need
- Try to lift someone up that is feeling down
- Help a neighbor
- Give an unexpected, but needed gift to someone
Doing this seems crazy at first, but it does work. When you give of yourself to someone else, it just makes you feel good. It may not get rid of your arthritis pain, but it will help you to put your focus elsewhere. You will eventually notice that you did not think about how bad you hurt (if only for a little while). Maybe next time, it will last longer.
If you are thinking that you could not possibly be of any help to anyone, think again. We all have talents to share and people that we can support, in one way or another, in times of crisis or need. So just try it out and see how you feel. You may even find that you want to make this a regular habit to help prevent that “down in the dumps” feeling.
Note: If you suffer from depression, please seek medical assistance to obtain treatment. These suggestions are not a treatment for depression.
