In a study of 132 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers formed two groups, one of people who met weekly to learn coping skills and another of people who met monthly and received support from another person with multiple sclerosis. The goal was to see which group fared better, those learning coping skills or those hearing from another MS sufferer.

The surprise finding was that neither group fared as well as did the five MS sufferers who had been trained to offer support. The study found that "giving support improved health more than receiving it." Those five MS sufferers felt a dramatic change in how they viewed themselves and life. Depression, self-confidence, and self-esteem improved markedly. The main researcher said, "These people had undergone a spiritual transformation that gave them a refreshed view of who they were." Caring for others brought healing for the caregivers.

Our nervous system is wired to find satisfaction—and discover our own well-being—by seeking the best for other people.