Those who help others become happy themselves!

Not only in the current time it is important to be there for each other. Helping each other and supporting people in need or in special exceptional situations is very valuable not only for those affected. Those who help contribute to the happiness of their fellow human beings and thus also increase their own feeling of happiness.

"The secret of happiness is not in possession, but in giving.
He who makes others happy becomes happy."

^{André Gide (1869-1951), writer}

But why is this so?

The often lost connection comes to light again in emergency situations. Both those affected and those helping can empathize with each other in these moments. In everyday life, this togetherness is often absent.

Knowing that other people help quite selflessly evokes gratitude. Often there are even unknown people who offer their help on their own. All the differences seem unimportant and the compassion is there. Both parties benefit from this. The person in need does not take help for granted and is more than grateful for the quick support, while the person who helps feels needed. In only a few other moments do we feel such cohesion.

Only then will we again feel what help can do. Self-esteem rises, drawing everyone's attention to the fact that even small actions can make a big difference. A genuine THANK YOU is often worth much more than an extravagant gift. To feel that the help has given courage and support to another person is great and the body even lowers the stress as a result. The hormones dopamine and serotonin are responsible for this.

Dopamine increases motivation, while serotonin responds to the reward system.

Many volunteers report a less stressful life. So the innate altruism benefits you yourself.

What is altruism and why does everyone carry it in themselves?

There are many voluntary employees in Saxony. They help whenever and wherever they can. The motivation behind it is based on altruism - the opposite of egoism. The philosophical idea behind it was defined by Augustus Comte. Helping is an innate quality that happens quite selflessly and automatically. With increasing age and (unfortunately also not so nice) empirical values, altruism is sometimes put into the background. This is only the time-tested honest kindness, which is appreciated with equally honest gratitude.

About 60,000 comrades work in the Landesfeuerwehrverband Sachsen e.V. - including many volunteers. In cooperation with In 2021, Sachsenlotto launched the "Lifeguard Alley" campaign launched. Since then, in many places around the motorways, attention has been drawn to how to form a rescue lane in an emergency. The awareness campaign informs about how important it is to know in such situations so that the emergency services can always be on site in time. The cooperation of all parties involved is required.

One's own altruism always comes into play when compassion and security shape the relationship. Those who can empathize with the other person show compassion and help, and trigger a feeling of security in the other person. A bond arises. For many volunteers, the investment is much less than the gratitude they receive as a result. True to the motto:

"Happiness is the only thing that doubles when you share it."

^{Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), physician and philosopher}