Many things make people happy from eating foods to cashing checks.

But alas, the more we experience some dose of pleasure, the less pleasurable the dose.

This is what's called hedonic adaptation, how the first bite of chocolate always tastes better

than the last.

How can we sustainably increase the well-being of the general population?

What about being good by doing good?

Beginning of the late 1980s, reports began surfacing of the Helpers High, feelings of

elation, exhilaration, and increased energy following selfless service to others and then a period

of calm and serenity. The High was thought to be like a post-intense workout rush. Some are cynical about the helpers high, arguing that helpers engage in faux generosity

because of a selfish desire to feel good about themselves, as this author put it.

Perhaps it's no accident.

These naysayers often seem selfish, grouchy, grumpy, test irritable.

They deny themselves the positive emotional benefits that flow from helping others

and therefore miss out on the happiness and exhilaration that are part of the helpers'

high.

Pro-social behavior engaging in actions that benefit others is considered a bedrock of society.

Whether communities thrive hinges on the willingness of their members to cooperate with one another and help those in need.

The central role of pro-social behavior is supported by research showing that infants as young as three months of age

pay attention to the pro-social

and antisocial actions of others and strongly prefer pro-social people.

There's also evidence that giving leads to happiness in young children.

By age two, toddlers are happier giving away treats to others than receiving treats themselves. And if it's their own treat they're giving away treats to others than receiving treats themselves.

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