U.S. researchers have found that helping others helps alleviate emotional problems such as depression. Sonia Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and colleagues found that positive behavior, such as helping someone buy food or writing a small note of thanks, is an effective way to treat depression. Positive behaviors include being kind to others, expressing gratitude, thinking optimistically and focusing on the good things in life, Lyubomirsky said. She said positive behavior not only helps to improve mental state, but also helps life to move in a good direction. Michelle Riba, former president of the American Psychiatric Association, agreed with Lyubomirsky’s findings. “There has been a lot of research that proves that these behaviors have a positive impact on life,” Riba said, “People stop focusing on their own pain and feel better about themselves when they help others.”