A kind act a day, can keep the doctor away - PLAN a Week of Worthy Activities

1. Feeling overwhelmed? Lend a hand.  In a study completed recently researchers measured the brain activity of volunteers who dispensed cash to different sources as a part of a computer game.  When these volunteers "donated cash" to a charity instead of "keeping" it they activated the part of the brain that produces oxytocin , a hormone that relaxes you and helps you feel good.  This hormone also helps you feel more attached to others which is why the body produces it naturally when you cuddle a baby.  FIND a philanthropic activity you enjoy ( volunteer for a literacy program, help out at a soup kitchen or a charity depot/store, walk homeless dogs at an animal shelter) make it part of your weekly or monthly routine.
   
2. Simply seeing people do compassionate things may help you get over a nasty cold faster.  I a study done by a behavioural psychologist students who atched a documentary about Mother Teresa and her work in Calcutta had significant increases in immunoglobulin A ( a type of immune cell).  SEE benevolence by renting Hotel Rwanda or I Am Legend or view tv shows about heroes.
3. Many people cope with negative emotions by overeating, drinking or smoking.  Research shows that you can get a  healthier "helper's high" instead.  Pitching in actually raises endorphin and dopamine levels which brings you feelings of euphoria.  One of my ways of coping throughout my life is to stop and count my blessing and when I get my eyes off myself, I can see so many more less fortunate than I am.  That levels things out for sure.  In a study with AA, people who did not become sponsors ( helping others stay sober) were twice as likely to relapse in the year following the end of treatment.   One of the mottos of AA is "By helping others, I help myself. "  TRY working at a community garden or cleaning a beach park or playground.  
4. Cholesterol and blood pressure aren't the only considerations when it comes to keeping your heart healthy.  Negativity - anger, hostility and resentment - have been linked to heart attacks and premature death.  So has self-absorption and self-centeredness.  Researchers in one University study surveyed medical students in their 20's and again in their 50's.  People who scored high on hostility in their 20's were four to five times more likely to have developed coronary heart disease in their 50's than those with lower scores.  Interestingly, data from a group monitoring volunteers shows coronary disease is lowest in area where most people serve as volunteers.
5. If you are suffering from a chronic illness, it is easy to become depressed - which can make your health spiral further downwards.  Assisting others can help you stay healthy.  In studies of people living with MS or HIV/aids,  patients who got involved in helping others with the same illness stayed healthier, longer. Plus they were less likely to feel lonely or negative.  Reaching out improves self confidence and lifts depression that can compromise physical healing in the ill or injured.  HELP people facing similar challenges to yours, whether it is dealing with illness, or a special needs child.  Call a lcoal hospital and find out how you may help another patient in recovery, be a hotline volunteer or start a support group.
6. Helping others can help you age gracefuly.  Researchers who followed 2000 people over 55 found that those who volunteered regularly had a 44% less likelihood of dying during the 5 years of the study.  Those who volunteered for two or more organisations had a 63% lower mortality rate than non-volunteers. JOIN forces with others whoa re volunteering. Help out t a church or centre.

SUNDAY:  Give something away.  Donate clothes or books to a charity.  The hospital which housed and cared for my mother for most of last year, takes donations of books and offers them to people who spend their long hours beside the bedside of a loved one.  When someone is gravely ill, it helps to have something with you as you sit and wait.  One can't always focus but sometimes it is a relief.  The Hospital asks for a gold coin donation for these.  We often take our books and donate them by the box load ( we are al great readers..)

MONDAY:  Shop consciously.  By fair-trade coffee and chocolate and eco friendly cleaning products.

TUESDAY.  Read for inspiration.  Subscribe to an e-newsletter of an organisation you admire.

WEDNESDAY.  Click for good. Do your online shopping at charity malls like igive.com and buyforcharity.com and prompt free donations at "click sites" such as thebreastcancersite.com and theanimalrescuesite.com

THURSDAY.  Spread the word.  Tell your hair stylist about cutitout.org (a program that assists salon staff identify domestic violence victims) or encourage children to check out kindnews.com which teaches children about animal welfare.

FRIDAY.  Be a stealth Samaritan.  Leave flowers and a treat anonymously on a friend's doorstep, pull the weeds from a busy neighbours garden while they are at work, take the children of a single mum for a couple of hours so mum can have some "me" time.

SATURDAY.  Host a party with purpose.  Ask guests to bring gifts of non perishable food to contribute to a food bank.