I probably don't need to say this to a group of people doing national service (or considering it), but helping others might be a natural behavior, and not only that but a healthy one too. A couple of the recent posts on Social Capital Blog are about research and actual experiences that show that doing things for others is just a part of human nature.
A new book by Michael Thomasello outlines helping behaviors in 18-month olds. If you drop something in front of an infant, he will pick it up. This is something that happens regardless of culture, regardless of how much the infant was taught. Long story short, Thomasello suggests that helping is an act that is just a part of human behavior.
The same blog refers to an article in the New York Times about a woman with multiple sclerosis. After she was diagnosed, her health plummeted until a doctor suggested a bizarre treatment - giving a gift to someone every day for a month. She gave a gift every day for 29 days and she became less dependent on her medication and the disease stopped progressing. She went on to start an organization centered around this idea. The full article includes similar success stories and references studies that show volunteers have healthier hearts. Being a service member might not be the most glamorous path to take, but there's comfort in knowing that it's a healthy one.
The good news is it is healthy to give. The better news is we will live longer to give more. One thing to keep in mind, we give often and sometimes find it challenging to let others do for us. That can be healthy as well.
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