Zachary DouglasWe know, or at least, we should know, that giving is a good thing to do, and that being generous makes us feel better. However, although that is definitely the case, why does it happen? Why is it better to give things to people than to keep everything for ourselves?
Whether it’s a gift, a donation, or you choose to buy something and give money that way (and perhaps also give the thing you bought to someone, too), the feeling of giving is a great one for lots of reasons. Read on to find out why giving is so powerful.
Boosts Your Mental Well-being
Mental health is something we should protect at all costs; once we start to experience issues with it, everything in our lives can fall apart and we can be left struggling. So of course, the more things we can do to keep our mental health positive, the better. You’ll find that you’re less susceptible to depression, anxiety, and stress, for example, and you’ll be able to think a lot more clearly and be more productive at home and at work.
Giving and being generous is one of the many things you can do to boost your mental well-being and keep things positive. The reason is a biological one, which might be surprising, but the fact is that when you do something good, like giving a gift that someone will love, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, and this will make you feel great; you’ll be happier and your mental wellness will absolutely be improved.
You Can Help People
Although some acts of giving are just nice things to do because you want to give someone a gift for their birthday, for example, others can actually help people, and that’s hugely powerful. Even the smallest bit of help is better than nothing, and the more you can do, the better other people’s lives will be as a result.
A good example of this is when you donate to charity. Giving money to charity means that you’re giving people the chance to make things better. It could be about building new homes, making sure people have enough to eat, helping children out of bad situations, giving animals the chance to have a happy life, and so much more.
Plus, remember it doesn’t have to be money that you give to charity, you can also help people by donating your time, skills, old clothes, or even blood. There’s always something you can do that’s going to have the potential to change lives.
You Can Create Social Connections
When you’re generous (without causing yourself any problems, of course), then you can make some fantastic social connections, and this is going to improve your life, well-being, and even your health in some cases. It’s all down to the image you give out, and when you give, you’ll be seen as trustworthy, reliable, and kind—who wouldn’t want to make friends with someone like that?
It can be hard to make social connections these days, especially as we get older, and even more so if we work remotely. If giving to a charity or being generous to the people around us helps with that, it’s not a bad thing at all.
You’ll See The Positives
Sometimes it’s hard to see the positives in any situation because your life just feels quite negative, or even just dull. However, when you’re able to give, no matter whether it’s a donation, a gift, or anything else, suddenly your entire perspective can change.
Once you’re more open to giving and you can see the many benefits that come with it, you’ll also be a lot more open to seeing the positive side of things in life and finding joy when you might not have been able to before. This can change everything and put you on a much brighter path.
Author Bio:
Dan B. A dedicated follower of the latest scientific research and self-care strategies, Dan is also passionate about alternative medicine, education, the great outdoors and animal welfare. Past experiences include writing for medical journals on the use of ketamine therapy for mental health and how positive thinking can impact mental health.
John Winter
