Holiday shopping can be terrifying, yes. But research suggests it’s worth it: New studies attest to the benefits of giving—not just for the recipients but for the givers’ health and happiness, and for the strength of entire communities.
Check out these 5 reasons why we should give more:
1) Giving makes us feel happy
Good feelings are reflected in our biology; when people give, it activates areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust, creating a ‘warm glow’ effect. This was evident in Michael Norton’s study (Harvard Business School Professor) where he found participant’s spirits were lifted more through giving money to someone else, despite their predictions where they thought they would feel better receiving.
2) Giving is good for health
Reports have shown that giving to others have improved people’s health, particularly those suffering with chronic illness, including HIV and multiple sclerosis. Researchers suggest that the main reason giving can help to improve physical health and longevity is because it helps to decrease stress which is linked to health issues.
Stephanie Brown carried out a study in 2003 on elderly couples where she found that those who provided practical help or emotional support to friends, relatives, spouses or neighbours, had a much lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who didn’t help at all. Interestingly, receiving help was not linked to a reduced death risk.
3) Giving helps social connection
When you give to others, your generosity is likely to be reciprocated down the line at some point, sometimes to the person you gave to or someone else. What’s more, giving to others makes you feel closer to those you give to as well as them feel closer to you.
4) Giving evokes gratitude
Giving can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude, whether you are on the giving or receiving end; this gratitude is essential to happiness, health and social bonds. For example, when you do express gratitude in words and actions, you boost other people’s positivity as well as your own. Cultivating this gratitude in everyday life is one of the keys to increasing personal happiness.
5) Giving is contagious
When we give to others, this can create a ripple effect and encourage others to do the same consequently increasing generosity through our community. One study showed that observers of generosity encouraged them to be generous later, toward different people. As a result, each person in a network can influence dozens or even hundreds of people, some of whom he or she has not met.
So your giving is much more than just a year-end chore whether you buy gifts, volunteer your time, or donate money to charity. Giving may help you build stronger social connections and could even encourage a large number of people to give more throughout the community. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself benefiting from a big dose of happiness in the process.
If you still don\’t know what to give for the upcoming holidays. At Ayurbeauty we have the best option for you.
Give health and well-being to your loved ones with an Ayurbeauty Gift Certificate, so they can enjoy one of our therapies or treatments.
For more information text us through WhatsApp at 407.617.9016
