Life can feel like an endless treadmill of obligations, work, and personal goals. We’re constantly told to hustle, achieve, and chase success. Yet, the more you focus on yourself, the easier it is to feel disconnected, stressed, and even burned out.
The antidote? Selfless service.
“Selfless service” is the act of helping others without expecting anything in return—no rewards, no benefits, and no strings attached. It’s about giving with a pure heart, not making anyone feel like they owe you something.
The positive irony, however, is that selfless service isn’t just good for the world—it’s transformative for you. Research shows that service, whether through volunteering, civic engagement, or just informally helping others, improves both mental and physical health.
We often think of volunteering, for example, as something we do to “give back” or to fulfill some moral obligation. Yet, when you engage in selfless service, you’re not just improving someone else’s life—you’re rewiring your brain, nurturing your well-being, and rediscovering a sense of purpose.
One of my clients, Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of the global nonprofit Points of Light, which coordinated more than 3.8 million volunteers last year, recently described the concept of service to me like this: “Service connects us to something greater than ourselves. It not only addresses urgent societal needs but also creates meaningful connections and belonging that strengthens individuals, organizations, and communities.”
Why Service Matters
Acts of selfless service don’t just transform the lives of those we help—they profoundly impact us as well. In my book Experiential Intelligence, I explore how our life experiences, including those centered on helping and serving, shape our unique abilities and ways of thinking. Service is not just about meeting the needs of others; it’s also about unlocking our own potential by creating meaningful connections, developing empathy, and finding purpose in our shared humanity.
Psychologically speaking, humans are wired for connection. Research reveals that acts of kindness that connect us to others can significantly enhance our well-being. Engaging in behaviors that help others releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which are associated with feelings of happiness and reduced stress. These neurochemical changes can alleviate anxiety and elevate mood, underscoring the profound impact of kindness on mental health.
Selfless service activates these chemicals in a way few other activities can. It’s like a mental and emotional reset button.
For example, service does the following:
- Improves mental health: Volunteering reduces rates of depression and anxiety. Just a few hours a month can lower your stress levels and help you feel more connected to others.
- Enhances your sense of purpose: When you’re part of something bigger than yourself, it’s easier to find meaning and clarity in your own life.
- Fosters resilience: Helping others puts your own struggles into perspective, which can boost your ability to bounce back from challenges.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just out of sync with the world around you, there’s no better remedy than stepping out of your own bubble and serving someone else.
Selfless Service: What It Is and Why It’s Powerful
Selfless service is all about helping others with zero expectation of getting something in return. It’s not transactional. It’s transformational. The concept comes from ancient traditions, like Seva in Hinduism and Sewa in Sikhism, where serving others is seen as a path to spiritual growth. But you don’t need to belong to a particular faith or philosophy to reap its benefits.
Take a moment to imagine this: You’re delivering food to families who might otherwise go hungry. You see relief in their eyes and hear gratitude in their voices. That moment isn’t just about them—it’s about how it changes you. Suddenly, your own challenges feel smaller, you have a new perspective, and you feel the profound impact of a simple act of service.
This is what volunteers at White Pony Express (WPE), for example, live and breathe every day. WPE rescues surplus food and delivers it to people in need, powered almost entirely by volunteers. The nonprofit recognizes that volunteers don’t just help others—they are helped themselves. Through service, they find freedom and happiness. WPE refers to this as a “circle of giving” where all involved are uplifted. Lives are transformed through giving freely of time and energy so that all can share in life’s abundance. According to Eve Birge, WPE’s CEO, “Meaningful, lasting change comes from spontaneous service to others, where we see one another as members of our human family. Through service, we put love into action.”
The beauty of selfless service is that it doesn’t have to look a certain way. You don’t need to save the world or dedicate 20 hours a week. Selfless service is about showing up—whether for a neighbor, a local nonprofit, or even a stranger—and doing what you can with what you have. It can take a minute, an hour, or a day of your time. What matters is the intent and act of giving without expectations of anything in return.
Start Your Service Journey
While selfless service is about giving without expectations, it is, by its very nature, one of the best ways to get—to get clarity, perspective, and fulfillment. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a retiree, here’s what you gain:
- Better relationships: Helping others strengthens social bonds, making you feel more connected to your community.
- Improved self-worth: When you see the positive impact of your actions, your confidence grows.
- Mental clarity: Service provides a sense of focus and gratitude that helps cut through the noise of daily life.
If you’re ready to experience the power of selfless service, three simple steps can get you started:
- Find your passion: What lights you up? Whether it’s feeding the hungry, mentoring youth, or cleaning up your local park, start with something that resonates with your values.
- Start small: Don’t overthink it. Even an hour a month can make a difference, for you and for others.
- Make it social: Join a group or team. Volunteering with others builds community and makes the experience more enjoyable and meaningful.
And if you’re part of an organization or manage a team and are looking to inspire volunteers, focus on these three things:
- Make it easy: Simplify the process of signing up and getting involved.
- Show the impact: Share stories and stats about how volunteers are making a difference.
- Celebrate contributions: Recognize and thank volunteers often to express appreciation, build loyalty, and keep people coming back.
Selfless service isn’t just about giving. It’s also about growing. By stepping outside of yourself and showing up for others, you create ripples of impact that can change lives, including your own. In a world that feels increasingly divided, selfless service builds bridges to others, and within oneself.