Happiness researcher reveals
This is the best way to increase your well-being
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Our well-being has been shown to increase enormously when we volunteer. Happiness researcher Karlheinz Ruckriegel explains why.
BRIGITTE WOMAN: Mr. Ruckriegel, what effect does it have on me when I help others free of charge?
Karlheinz Ruckriegel: Research shows that people who do voluntary work have a better balance of emotions. You clearly have more positive than negative feelings in you. But also on the cognitive level, people with voluntary work rate themselves as significantly more satisfied than those without.
How can this be explained?
When we help others, we also do a lot for ourselves: We experience ourselves as gripping, make a difference and thus strengthen our self-confidence. We solve problems in a community, push small and large projects. It’s incredibly meaningful. And we can use our knowledge and skills in a targeted manner, well into old age.
Sounds almost more fulfilling than some jobs.
When it comes to volunteering, I have voluntarily chosen an activity that I am one hundred percent behind. This increases my self-efficacy enormously. We have to swallow toads a lot more often at work. Therefore, volunteering also counteracts stress and strengthens the immune system. That can increase life expectancy by five to ten years.
Social action is therefore less selfless than expected.
When food became scarcer 400,000 years ago, people had to cooperate, otherwise they would have died out. And cooperation requires fairness. At that time, the decisive course was set that makes us the most social creature on earth.
But, in all honesty, aren’t we still mostly living in an elbow society?
No, humans are not homo economicus who strive for the greatest possible benefit for themselves. In the meantime, economics is also recognizing that we are naturally geared towards fairness and community. Of course, a lot has been about asserting yourself since the 80s. But that is about to be reversed.
Is this good news for everyone who does volunteer work?
Yes. The current World Happiness Report states: The contribution of material things to our happiness is limited. People are mainly concerned with successful social relationships and meaningful action.
Nevertheless, I first have to be able to afford an honorary position, also in terms of time.
For sure. But interestingly, people who are very busy at work are often also volunteers. Volunteering is a good balance.
And what about the others after they retire?
Unfortunately, many then no longer manage to get started. So it makes a lot of sense to start as early as possible. And if it can make me so much happier now – why wait a long time?
Would you like to read more about the topic and exchange ideas with other women? Then take a look at the “Personality Forum” BRIGITTE community past!
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