I’ve got the cure for the summertime blues. Or, in fact, for whenever you are in a funk. The easiest way to remember this cure is by its acronym: “D.S.F.S.Q.” It stands for “Do Something For Someone Quick!

New research from Harvard University shows that helping others catalyzes a “moral transformation” that makes people more capable when performing tasks that require physical endurance. For real! You can read a bit more about the recent research here: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2010/04/strength-in-naughty-or-nice/.

Helping others is a powerful remedy for just about any illness – mental, physical or emotional. How does it work? To begin with, man is a social animal, generally gregarious in nature. Social interaction is an important part of most people’s lives and no matter how you cut it, we need one another.

You might recall the elevator scene from the movie Jerry Maguire in which Tom Cruise and co-star Renee Zellweger saw a deaf couple sign the romantic phrase “You complete me.” If you missed that you might have seen Dr. Evil and Mini-Me share the same interchange in the second and third Austin Powers films. Regardless of your movie tastes, it is true that we do have the opportunity, if not the responsibility to complete one another. No single person is complete unto him or herself and complementation is the key to the survival and success of the human race.

The communications technology of the last century transformed the way we relate to one another. Much of what used to occur “kneecap to kneecap” now happens virtually. It is possible to live in near total isolation, much like the astronauts involved in the 520 day simulation of a Mars mission at the Institute for Biomedical Problems in Moscow (see http://www.space.com/news/record-setting-mock-mars-mission-begins-100603.html). But rare is the individual who can live in complete isolation with no requirement for interaction with others. We depend on one another.

What excites me about the new research coming out of Harvard is that there is documented proof of some of the many benefits that come from helping others. Combine that with a simple awareness of the needs of others and you have a recipe for success!

Experiment with this in the days to come. When you find yourself in a tight spot, D.S.F.S.Q. And when you do, you are wise to have no concern for the results. If you give genuinely, it won’t matter to you if the gift is accepted or rejected or even if it is thrown back in your face. You’ve done your part and as far as you’re concerned, that’s all that matters.

Have a great day, my friends, and enjoy the opportunities that come your way to help others. And remember, D.S.F.S.Q!