Helping Others

When we do things for other people it helps us to get our mind off of ourselves. Does anyone find joy or does it help you in your own life when yo help other people?

Definitely! Whenever I've had a relapse and fall back into drinking, I know I'm putting those around me through hell. When I get sober again I try to do at least some small things for those I know have put up with the brunt of my antics. Even if it's just keeping things clean and tidy at home, doing the chores etc - and it keeps me occupied too. I throw myself into it and I take comfort from knowing that my husband is getting a break from having to do everything at home, as well as going out to work.

I love it when I can help the people around me -- especiall when it involves fixing problems for them! Double-whammy of warm feelings and sense of self-achievement. But since I'm not too good at meeting new people, I sort of wonder how I could help more people. Is there a way to help people from home? I'm shy.

This is why I love volunteering. It’s productive, it gets my mind off things (or when it doesn’t, at least it gives me some time away from whatever may be affecting me so I can sort out my feelings), and I know I’ve done something good for others. Plus I’ve found that some of my fellow volunteers/staff can get pretty lonely when carrying out their duties, which is something I struggle with as well, so having good company there is a huge comfort.

There's always a certain joy in helping others and it defintiely helps to take your mind off your own problems. Plus, the feeling it gives you is useful for your self esteem so as you can see, there are many benefits to volunteering.

I'm the same way. I'm horrible at dwelling on stuff. But, by god, their caring lasts about as long a sitcom episode.

It does make you feel good to help others. In any type of sobriety program every little bit helps. These little gestures to make you feel better does help the overall end game. All positives and no negatives.

Help others does make you feel good. I hope it makes everyone else out there feel good. I don't see how it can be a negative to your sobriety.

Absolutely. I love being able to help other people just by simply doing basic things/deeds. It somehow makes me feel wanted. Very uplifting.

Yes I enjoy helping other people. When they are open to it. Some are so accepting and others not so much. It does take your mind off of yourself. Makes you feel happy.

There are givers and takers in this world. Some folks can only be one or the other because of their respective personalities. But for the rest of us, we should try and stay balanced by doing good deeds, while also be willing to accept help from others when we're in need.

I fully believe that helping others is the key to sobriety. It is not a coincidence that it is the final of the twelve steps.

It works in some mysteriously spiritual way in my opinion. It is not that easy to understand. It is a complex and complicated way to live your life. I guess it is just really easy to live life as a self-centered, selfish individual. By that I mean it does not require much thought because obviously living that way is self destructive.

It certainly does feel good when I help others and I want to make it a habit of helping people every single day. But there isn't always that opportunity. Though there are times we help people unconsciously without even regarding it as help.

Helping people is always a pleasure to do for others, and I enjoy doing it since it makes me feel "useful" if you know what I mean. People should always help other people when they can.

I really, really find that helping other people helps me too. Something about being able to make a difference in someone else's life makes me so happy - I think just knowing that I am giving back and making someone else's day a bit brighter is a wonderful thing. I know in my own life and through my own struggles, the help of others is what has seen me through the tough times, and to be able to help others through their tough times is special to me.