The 111 Files: Serving others will make you happier

There is a scientifically robust explanation for the switch in mood from being kind to others. Photo / File

A few weeks I ago I stumbled across an article by Justin Zoradi called "How I found happiness in an unexpected place". His story started with a situation familiar to most of us.

You are running late and then find yourself stuck behind car that has stalled at the traffic lights. His frustration and impatience was challenged when an elderly man stepped out of his car and onto the icy road to ask for his help. A few minutes later Justin had helped the older man on his way and his mood had moved from anger and frustration to one of feeling much better about himself.

He concluded with these words, "I'm not a doctor. I'm not a therapist. I'm not a psychologist. But serving others and exercising your empathy muscles will make you feel better. Honestly."

I am not a doctor or a psychologist either, but there is a scientifically robust explanation for this switch in mood. When we connect socially in a positive way and help others, we stimulate the empathic spheres of our brains, which results in the release of a chemical called Oxytocin. Oxytocin is the chemical that helps handle stress, and bond with others. At the risk of giving you too much information, it is also one of the chemicals that is released when we have sex.

Oxytocin also helps mothers bond with their children, reduces social anxiety, relieves pain and depression, and even promotes generosity.

If you ask me, they are all good reasons for investing some energy in doing things that will benefit others, instead of just thinking about ourselves all the time. If you haven't been reading this column for a few weeks, I am in the middle of a series on how we can work together to build a sense of community. There are a lot of really positive things going on in Rotorua at the moment, and the most exciting for me is the number of people who are coming together with the common desire of wanting to make our community safer and more connected. This is at the heart of what living in community is all about.

Last week I talked about the importance of safe boundaries. Next week I am going to look at some of the things we can do to build trust and feelings of safety. In the meantime, give some thought to how you might exercise your own "empathy muscles" by doing something kind for someone else.

-Inspector Bruce Horne is the Rotorua police area commander.