We all like receiving gifts, but giving can be just as enjoyable. When you give a gift, or you contribute to a charitable cause, it increases the feel-good hormones in your brain and helps you to think outside of yourself. These are just some of the benefits of giving; there are lots more that you can find out about in the article below. Read on and remember to dig deep.
It Makes us Happier
If you were given the choice to spend your money on yourself or spend the same money on someone else, which would you choose? Chances are you would choose to spend the money on yourself; after all, you worked for the money and earned it, you deserve to reap the rewards.
But not so fast, what if you found out that spending the money on someone else was going to make you happier, so in a way you are using your money to improve your wellbeing, would you still buy that new item of clothing instead of giving to charity? Studies show this is the case.
It Benefits our Mental Health
Mental health issues come in different shapes and forms, but chances are most people have felt anxious or depressed at some point in their lives; we have some idea of how it feels to be so preoccupied with your life and your thoughts that nothing else matters. But giving can help.
Giving is one of the ways you can break the cycle of self-obsession and introspection, two characteristics that are common in people with mental health conditions. Making an effort to step out of your zone of self and think about someone else creates a positive change in mood.
It Creates Connections
There are different ways to give and receive, you can give money to help a good cause, such as Sadaqah | Islamic Help, or you can volunteer your time or resources to aid the community. Whatever way you decide to help, you will create connections with your culture of giving.
Since ancient times, human beings have cooperated to form communities and economies; this is one of the features of the species that makes us so successful; we are reliant on other people as much as we are on ourselves. Today, giving is one way to carry on this ancient tradition.
It Builds up Gratitude
One way to lift your spirits when you’re feeling down is to think about what you are grateful for; everyone is grateful for something, even if it’s only a cup of tea. When you start to cultivate gratitude, you start to realize how reliant you are on others and how they rely on you as well.
Gratitude is an intensely positive feeling that creates more joy and happiness in your life and the lives of the people around you. It’s a good practice to give something to someone every day and to feel a sense of gratitude that you are in a position to help. Think of some things you can give.
Giving is Contagious
Human beings like to imitate each other for entertaini=ment and communication, so when someone starts to give more freely and increase their happiness and wellbeing levels, the situation is contagious. Before you know it, your friends, family, and neighbors will give too.
If you work in a cutthroat industry like investment banking or venture capitalism, it’s easy to start thinking about the world in a narrow way; there are haves and have nots. In reality, the world is based on cooperation and kindness, people make efforts to protect others in difficulty.
It Improves Physical Health
Studies show that giving is good for your mental health, but it’s also good for your physical health. As mentioned, giving allows you to think outside of yourself about the situation of other people; this reduces the amount of stress you have in your own life leading to physical benefits.
Stress is one of the leading causes of physical issues such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, asthma, and more; not only that, stress makes you uncomfortable and unproductive. If you have issues with stress, you need to resolve them as a priority; giving is a useful way to begin.
It Helps Other People
It might seem like an obvious point, but it’s worth reiterating as an end-note, the purpose of giving is to help other people, and it works. Without the charitable contributions and humanitarian efforts of people, there would be far more suffering and crises on the planet. With that in mind, remember to dig deep the next time you are asked for a charitable contribution.
