Helping Others Can Reduce Physical Pain

We’ve all heard it’s better to give than receive and science also suggests giving can actually ease physical pain. Researchers say that people experiencing pain benefited instantly from altruistic acts. For instance, one study found those who volunteered to give blood after an earthquake experienced less pain than non-volunteers. Another study found that volunteers helping children of migrant workers experienced less pain in cold temperatures than non-volunteers. Researchers believe it’s because a region in the brain that reacts to painful stimulation is instantly deactivated with the act of giving.