Written by Elly Herrick, Staff Writer
From saving babies from a re to simply sitting with the new kid, good deeds are a universal bene t to physical and mental health.
Good deeds increase the production of dopamine, a feel-good neutralizer. Insufficient levels of dopamine result in a lack of motivation and signs of depression, while too high levels of dopamine can cause bipolar disorders like schizophrenia.
The right amount of dopamine boosts morale, motivation, and attention. To increase dopamine levels, stay away from caffeine, maintain a regular sleep schedule, and most importantly, do good deeds.
Goodness is contagious, and Indian Trail High School and Communications Academy sophomore Justus Wilhoit is no stranger to kindness.
“I want to help people if they are struggling and have them always know that there’s somewhere there for them,” Wilhoit said.
With 3.2 million 12- to 17-year-old students having had at least one major depressive episode within the past year, good deeds are needed.
Kindness is a habit of giving. Even witnessing good deeds can make people want to help, Psychology Today reports. Performing good deeds can even expand life-expectancy.
“Paying it forward” has been a universal truth since ancient times. Religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism contend that karma plays a huge factor in rebirth. Karma prompts good in people until their final breath. If they are good in their past life, they will be reborn as a person full of good luck and happiness.
With thousands of students in our school building, Med-Sci junior Amaya Warthen, encourages fellow students to do good deeds every day.
“You gotta help people,” Warthen said.
More than 40 recent studies suggest that volunteer work improves mental state. One in four Americans come back to volunteer because it gives them a sense of belonging in their communities.
“If we all did (good deeds) for each other we would all be like family,” Warthen said. “Good deeds warm the hearts of everyone around.”
Giving is better than getting. Scientific evidence even shows that our body releases more dopamine when donating than when receiving.
“Being nice to people isn’t a necessity, but it makes everything better,” Warthen said.