Last week, I gave a talk on stress resilience to a group of young dentists in which I shared several methods for managing stress and increasing effectiveness. Dr. Brynn Jezdimir of LakePointe Orthodontics organized the event, and shared her experience of giving back to the community as a way of reducing stress and increasing happiness and overall well-being. Helping others counteracts stress because it shifts our focus from our own worries to making other people happy. It creates positive feelings when we help others, and it’s impossible to feel stressed and happy at the same time. Emotional regulation is a key to stress management. Taking action that moves you from negative emotions of anger, fear and worry to positive emotions of love, happiness and gratitude does wonders to lower your stress level.

Dr. Brynn also invited two speakers who are doing outstanding work in the community to talk about their non-profit organizations. Diane Soulliere started Operation Love Our Homeless to battle the problem of homelessness in the city of Detroit and surrounding areas. Her organization focuses on community driven food preparation, clothing collection, basic needs distribution and resources for homeless people living on the street and in shelters and warming centers.

Chris Lambert founded Life Remodeled to bridge people across divides in order to help transform each other’s lives. They make lasting impacts in Detroit neighborhoods by partnering with local residents and businesses to remodel community assets, repair owner-occupied homes, and mobilize 10,000 volunteers to beautify 300 city blocks in six days. Together they remove blight and create safe, inspirational pathways to schools and homes. This short video shows the incredible impact they are making to transform neighborhoods in Detroit.

You can access their websites from the links above to get involved in these great causes by making a donation or by volunteering your time. Your support can make a big difference in the lives of others, and by doing so, you also help yourself. The gift of giving is really a gift to yourself.

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington

 “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” – John Holmes