Monday, January 12, 2015

Another Benefit

A major benefit of the 12-step programs is sobriety.

But did you know that following the program can also boost your immune system?

This is because carrying the message is an act of kindness. And studies have shown that doing kind and positive things helps our immune system.

Huh? You might ask. Where did you come up with this?

The evidence comes from the phenomenon known as the "Mother Theresa Effect." And it was the subject of a Harvard University study.

For years Mother Theresa and her sisters worked in terrible slums. Sanitation was poor. Disease was rampant. Yet, their immune systems protected them. And scientists attributed it to the work they were doing.

Even those who watched videos of the nuns at work experienced increases in immune function.

While there are many reasons to be in recovery, there's always room for one more.