Altruism is an unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It is a generous way of expressing gratitude for all that you have been given.

Being altruistic or reaching out to help others, not only benefits the person being helped, but practising altruism also has many benefits for the person offering the help.

Reaching out a hand to lift someone else up is one of the greatest gifts for the heart. The gifts that one receives from giving back and from reaching out to help others are immense and priceless.

Giving back to others unselfishly is also a way of blessing yourself. Putting the needs of others ahead of your own helps many people to find a sense of direction and bring a purpose to life. It is also helps people survive and to heal from tragic or challenging events.

Survivors of tragic or life changing experiences reveal that unselfish concern for others is a common survival strategy. Focusing on others can give you a place to stand when the rest of your world may be crumbling.

Giving back to others, giving back a little from our hearts, brings joy into our lives. Try performing a random act of kindness, giving some of your time, volunteering for a worthwhile cause and experiencing genuine altruism.

When we see the joy in someone's face, a smile on a child's or an elderly person's face, we will experience feelings of warmth, contentment and gratitude in our hearts. We can all make the world a better place simply by bringing joy to others. Only then will we understand why people give back.

When you give back, you are spreading joy like a perfume, which cannot be poured on someone without getting some on yourself. When your heart is filled with joy, there is little room left for feeling depressed, sad or lonely.

While many of us feel too stressed and busy to worry about helping others with their burdens, or would like to think about doing good deeds only when we have more ‘spare’ time, energy and money, altruism is its own reward, and can actually help you relieve stress. Altruistic acts can improve your quality of life and are absolutely worth the effort.

Helping others in need, especially those who are less fortunate than you, can provide you with a sense of perspective on how fortunate you are to have what you have in life, be it health, money or a safe place to sleep. It actually helps you to focus less on the things you feel you lack. Helping others with their problems can also help you gain a more positive perspective on the things in life that causes you stress.

Studies have shown that the act of giving can activate the area of the brain associated with positive feelings, lift your spirits and make you feel better the more you give. And given that altruism can lead to lasting emotional well-being, a more positive perspective, a positive effect on others and better social standing, altruism certainly does the job as a healthy means for relieving stress and increasing life satisfaction.

Be altruistic, be joyous.