Pandemic, war in Ukraine and ecological disaster.
The cocktail has enough to bring down the most resilient.
Stunned by the anxiety-provoking news of recent months, it will never have taken us so much effort to anticipate better potential to come and see the glass half full.
In response to an oppressive world, the tendency would even be to withdraw into oneself, as the journalist and essayist Vincent Cocquebert explains in his recent book
La civilization du cocoon
(1).
Only to get out of the gloom, we would certainly gain a lot more from taking the opposite direction, by opening up to others and taking action.
Researcher in social psychology, Christophe Haag (2) affirms: "Faced with this ambient gloom, one of the best remedies for regulating one's emotional states is to
Read alsoHow to manage your anxious brain?
Life-saving brain chemistry
The encouragement to turn to others to get better may seem naive;
however, when we carry out a positive action, a learned mechanism is set up in the brain and participates in our appeasement.
“Studies tend to show that certain regions of the prefrontal cortex are modified when we perform a positive action, informs Christophe Rodo, neuroscientist.
This probably participates in the release of certain molecules such as dopamine, linked to feelings of pleasure.
The story is simple: to make the other happy and to see them being so, intoxicates us, and also makes us happy.
Altruism probably participates in the release in the brain of certain molecules such as dopamine, linked to feelings of pleasure
Christophe Rodo, neuroscientist
This game of hormones also optimizes our well-being by reducing stress and anxiety.
According to social psychology researcher Christophe Haag, people who have the habit of turning to others and producing benevolent acts even secrete 23% less cortisol - the stress hormone - than others.
A virtuous mechanism is then set in motion, which keeps the altruist in better health.
"These people produce more oxytocin (
the so-called hormone of love, attachment, editor's note
), continues Christophe Haag.
In doing so, nitric oxide, a molecule, is released and dilates the blood vessels.
The individual thus lowers his blood pressure and protects his heart from cardiovascular risks.
According to the specialist, the generous age better than others, are in better physical and mental health, and enjoy a longer life expectancy.
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A regained sense of control
We must also understand that social proximity is a fundamental psychological need.
Without it, the individual fades.
"The more we take care of others and of the relationship, the more we strengthen the feeling of social connection, which in turn increases our feeling of emotional security", specifies Rebecca Shankland, professor of psychology at the University Lumière Lyon 2 and author of
These links that make us live: Praise of interdependence
(3).
Turning to others, helping them, makes them feel useful and boosts their self-esteem.
“This is also the vision of the philosopher Nietzsche, rebounds Florian Cova, assistant professor in the philosophy department of the University of Geneva.
According to him, behind altruism hides the need to feel good and better than others.
The more we take care of others and of the relationship, the more we strengthen the feeling of social connection, which in turn increases our feeling of emotional security.
Rebecca Shankland, Professor of Psychology
Symbolically speaking, acting for others also allows us to regain control of our daily lives and to suffer less.
A boon, after two years of pandemic which confronted us with the unknown, plunged into uncertainty.
“We find a feeling of control over the situation through concrete actions carried out on a daily basis, comments Rebecca Shankland.
Thanks to the satisfaction felt and the meaning that it can bring to us, we also improve our well-being.
This quest for meaning, precisely;
goal, this need to serve something, drives us all, says Professor Florian Cova.
He continues: "This meaning, we find it by having the impression of participating in a collective work".
So everyone then has to find their playground. For some, it's about finding meaning without their work or getting involved in helping their family.
For others, altruism will consist of getting involved in associations, embracing a humanitarian cause, or simply being present and listening to those around you.
But to succeed in being available for others, it is still necessary to ensure a sufficient level of personal well-being.
"A lot of research shows that positive emotions encourage altruistic gestures," says Rebecca Shankland.
So we take time to recharge our batteries and then foster quality relationships.
These are the most important dimension for maintaining good mental health.”
(1)
The civilization of the cocoon.
To put an end to the temptation of withdrawal,
by Vincent Cocquebert, Éditions Arkhê, 2021.
(2) Christophe Haag is the author of
Provoque ta chance
, Albin Michel, 320 pages, €19.90.
(3) Rebecca Shankland is the author of numerous articles and books on mindfulness, positive psychology and the importance of connections, including
The Connections That Keep Us Lived: In Praise of Interdependence.
