Reasons to Give
Reasons to Give
Giving generously contributes to your overall sense of happiness. Research shows that people who care about others are on average happier than those who are more pre-occupied with themselves (Lyurbomirsky, 2003). When you think about it, often more anxiety comes from striving to “do well” for yourself than from striving to “do good” for the rest of the world. Here are some of the ways that giving makes you happy...
You get a nice warm, fuzzy feeling
Giving to others is one of the most satisfying things you can do. Not only does the recipient enjoy the benefits of your generosity, but you are also filled with a sense of goodness and connectedness with the other person. In fact there’s a known phenomenon of the ‘helpers high’ – that warm feeling of extra energy, even euphoria – experienced when you give something to others. In addition, this has a continuing positive effect even after the time of giving, so when you recall a memory of an act of kindness you recreate a similar feeling of warmth within yourself. All the more reason to bring out your ‘inner helper’ this Christmas!
You may live longer
The physiological and psychological changes that occur when you give generously have been shown to contribute to your health and longevity. Giving lowers your stress levels and improves your immunity. Now who couldn’t use a little more calm and a little less flu this season? Even early man knew that to survive he needed to be caring towards others. In Darwin’s ‘The Descent of Man’ ‘survival of the fittest’ is mentioned only twice, whereas ‘benevolence’ is mentioned 99 times. And with research demonstrating that volunteers live longer than people who aren’t involved in volunteer activity, it makes you wonder if perhaps you can find a little space for some charity work next year after all.
The poor gain more than the rich lose
Extra income increases long-term happiness only if it is moving you off the poverty line. If you are already better off than those in true poverty, extra income will do little to improve your overall sense of happiness. This is largely related to our tendency to adapt to our new financial situation, such that it becomes the norm and so we then desire more. If money is transferred from a rich person to a poor person, the poor person gains more happiness than the rich person loses. So why not give a little this month!
You become a stronger person
By being generous you strengthen who you are as a person, you loosen the ego’s tendency to fear and to set often unrealistic expectations. Giving generously tests our trust in abundance. It requires us to empathize with others. It strengthens our sense of connectedness with the world - the more "different" we feel from other people, the harder it will be to give freely. The more we recognize that we are one and that another person’s happiness is as important as ours, the more easily we can offer what we have. And the more we give, the better we get at it.
- Feeling inspired to give? Check out these lesser known charities for some inspiring ways to show you care.
- Top tips on becoming a generous giver!
- "No one has ever become poor by giving" - Anne Frank. Read what others have to say on the subject.