The Art of Happiness

investigators found that doing regular volunteerwork, interacting with others in a warm andcompassionate way, dramatically increased lifeexpectancy, and probably overall vitality as well.Many other researchers in the new field of mindbodymedicine have demonstrated similarfindings, documenting that positive states of mindcan improve our physical health.In addition to the beneficial effects on one’sphysical health, there is evidence that compassionand caring behavior contribute to good emotionalhealth. Studies have shown that reaching out tohelp others can induce a feeling of happiness, acalmer mind, and less depression. In a thirty-yearstudy of a group of Harvard graduates,researcher George Vaillant concluded, in fact,that adopting an altruistic lifestyle is a criticalcomponent of good mental health. Another