Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2013 The pleasure people feel after helping others is\nlinked to prosocial behaviour: actions intended to benefit other people.\nThese can take many forms, from providing material assistance and\ndonating money to giving up time or offering emotional support.<\/p>\n
A 2013 study published in the journal Psychological Bulletin analysed\ndata from 136 countries. It found that spending money to help others was\nassociated with higher levels of happiness across countries, both high-\nand low-income.<\/p>\n
The study also included several experiments that found sharing could\nincrease positive emotions. However, this does not mean that everyone\nwill necessarily feel happier after helping others. Each person\u2019s\nexperience can differ depending on the circumstances and the type of\nassistance given.<\/p>\n
Several factors may explain why people feel happier after\nsharing:<\/p>\n
Helping others can make people feel that their actions have meaning.\nFor example, helping a friend who is struggling or giving food to\nsomeone in need can create a sense that their actions have made a\npositive difference.<\/p>\n
This feeling is connected to meaning and purpose in life. People are\nnot only focused on their own needs, but also consider how their actions\ncan benefit others.<\/p>\n
The resulting happiness is not simply a matter of receiving praise or\nsomething in return. Knowing that the help provided has genuinely been\nuseful can also bring emotional satisfaction.<\/p>\n
Sharing can be a way to build and maintain relationships. When people\noffer help, listen to a friend\u2019s concerns or make time for family, their\nsocial ties can grow closer.<\/p>\n
Positive relationships give people the opportunity to experience\nsupport, trust and a sense of belonging. These are important elements of\npsychological well-being.<\/p>\n
Even so, sharing does not automatically strengthen every\nrelationship. Assistance should take account of the recipient\u2019s needs,\npersonal boundaries and circumstances.<\/p>\n
Sharing can bring feelings of happiness, relief, gratitude or\nsatisfaction. These emotions may arise when people see that their help\nhas been welcomed or has succeeded in easing someone else\u2019s burden.<\/p>\n
A 2008 study published in the journal Science examined the\nrelationship between spending money on oneself and spending it on\nothers. In the experiment, participants assigned to spend money on other\npeople reported greater happiness than those who spent it on\nthemselves.<\/p>\n
The findings provide experimental evidence that happiness may be\nlinked to how people use their money, not only to how much money they\nhave. However, subsequent research has found that the size of this\neffect is not consistent across all experiments.<\/p>\n
Sharing can also help people feel that they belong to their social\nenvironment. Taking part in voluntary work, helping neighbours or\nparticipating in social activities gives people opportunities to\ninteract and build relationships.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, these benefits do not come only from giving help.\nReceiving assistance, forming friendships and feeling supported by\nothers are also important parts of healthy social relationships.<\/p>\n
People may feel happy when they know that their assistance has made a\nreal difference. Examples include giving food to someone in need,\nhelping a friend finish a task or supporting a family member going\nthrough a difficult time.<\/p>\n
A 2023 Harvard Business School article discussed research into the\nrelationship between spending on others and happiness. The review found\nthat the emotional benefits of sharing tend to be more pronounced when\npeople are directly involved in giving and understand the positive\nimpact it has made.<\/p>\n
This means sharing need not involve large amounts. Simple assistance\nthat meets the recipient\u2019s needs can create a meaningful emotional\nexperience for both parties.<\/p>\n
How can you share in a way that has a positive impact?<\/p>\n
Sharing does not always have to involve money or possessions. There\nare many simple ways to help others in everyday life while building\nhealthier social relationships.<\/p>\n
Helping with household chores, bringing food to a friend or offering\nassistance to a neighbour are examples of small actions that can make a\ndifference.<\/p>\n
Sharing should be done willingly, rather than solely because of\nsocial pressure or a desire for praise. The freedom to choose how to\nhelp allows people to match their assistance to their means and\nvalues.<\/p>\n
Before offering something, first understand what kind of help is\nneeded. Not everyone needs the same kind of assistance.<\/p>\n
Sharing does not mean always putting others first at the expense of\nyour health, rest or personal finances. Setting boundaries is important\nso that helping can be sustained without causing exhaustion.<\/p>\n
Healthy social relationships involve both giving and receiving.\nAccepting help when it is needed does not mean becoming a burden; it\ngives others the opportunity to show that they care.<\/p>\n
In an interview published by Harvard Catalyst on 13 January 2026,\nsocial psychologist Sara Konrath emphasised the importance of caring\ncommunities, the freedom to choose to help and the tangible impact of\nthe assistance provided. These three elements are considered important\nin ensuring that sharing is beneficial without leaving the giver\nemotionally exhausted.<\/p>\n
Does sharing always make people happy?<\/p>\n
Although various studies show a positive relationship between\ngenerosity and happiness, not everyone experiences these benefits in\nevery situation.<\/p>\n
People may feel under pressure if they are constantly helping because\nothers demand it, feel guilty when they refuse a request or give more\nthan they can afford. Such circumstances can diminish the emotional\nbenefits usually associated with sharing.<\/p>\n
It is therefore important to distinguish between helping voluntarily\nand helping out of a sense of compulsion. Caring for others should go\nhand in hand with looking after one\u2019s own well-being.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, feeling happier after sharing may be linked to positive\nemotions, closer social relationships and a sense that one\u2019s actions\nhave meaning. This happiness does not require large gifts or excessive\nsacrifice.<\/p>\n
Simple help, given sincerely, tailored to the recipient\u2019s needs and\nwithin the giver\u2019s means, can be one way to build better relationships\nwith others.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-can-sharing-make-someone-feel-happier-1792648362", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }