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How Focusing on Others Can Improve Your Mental Health
It turns out focusing on other people can be a source of newfound happiness, even during rough times.
I’ve had a pretty good year, albeit with tough spots, mostly that come with raising teenagers. Last year I made a deal with myself, a resolution of sorts, that when I felt sad, I would consciously focus on being a better friend and better person to others. My logic was this — if my parenting role wasn’t going so well, at least I could feel good about being a better friend and citizen.
When I had a rough morning, I called my buddies. But instead of telling them about my difficulties, I would ask them how they were doing and talk about the situations they were facing. Becoming more immersed in their lives not only distracted me, and gave me perspective on my issues, but it brought me closer to my friends as I began to understand their thoughts and emotions at a deeper level. Over the past year, my friendships have become more meaningful and richer as a result of this change.
Here are some of the insights I’ve gained about focusing on others:
