Giving and wellness are interconnected and have a powerful connection that can make you feel good while helping others. It is very easy to get caught up in everyday life and forget the importance of giving back to those in need and the local community. Acts of kindness, service, and giving not only boost the well-being of others but significantly enhance our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Discover the powerful connection below and how incorporating altruism in your life can lead to a healthy and fulfilling life.
The science of giving
Many studies have constantly demonstrated that engaging in altruism releases the feel-good hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine in our brains. These are all associated with happiness and improved mood. They can also be a great stressbuster to help you be calmer and at peace. When we give, our brains reward us with natural positive emotions which encourages us to keep up the positive behavior.
Mental health benefits
Giving back to others has several mental health benefits that make you feel good, as well as making recipients feel good. By focusing on others’ needs, you can gain perspective on your own challenges and find these more manageable. Volunteering and acts of service can provide you with a sense of purpose and be highly meaningful. These are all key factors to good mental health and positive life satisfaction.
Helper’s high
Any act of altruism is connected to good physical and mental effects. Most importantly, giving activates parts of the brain that link to pleasure, trust, and relationships with others. This releases the feel-good chemicals mentioned earlier and gives you a rush that is often referred to as the “helper’s high.”
This high also allows you to divert your attention away from yourself as you focus on others. Through this, you can get rid of stress and depression that are usually connected to inner conflict. You can gain new insights and perspectives into your own life, as well as others, and lessen the negative mental state.
Larger purpose
Giving your time or hard-earned money can connect us to people, a cause, or the greater good in general. This links you to a larger purpose in life and creates meaning that is vital to mental health. You can gain a purpose in life through giving and this gives cognitive benefits. You can also have a positive self-image which instantly makes you feel good.
The act of giving creates a community of like-minded people that you can be a part of. Getting behind a good cause with others can reduce mental health issues and help you to socialize with others.
Builds gratitude
Giving allows you to build gratitude for others and your own situations in life. It not only strikes gratitude in you, but it strikes gratitude in the recipient as well. Seeing others benefit from your actions places thankfulness for everything you have to offer, which is linked to health, social bonds, and happiness. Being thankful because of giving allows you to exercise more, feel more optimistic, and have a better outlook on your life.
Reduces stress
When you give, you can relieve stress. Doing deeds of compassion or giving to those in need releases oxytocin. This hormone is linked to reducing stress, so you can combat any stress-related issues by being generous and more mindful of others.
Reduces depression
Giving can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is because the act of charity gives you purpose and fulfills you by helping others.
Enhances life contentment
When you give back more, you can have a happy and content life. It can improve our sense of meaning and fulfillment in life which instantly increases our general life satisfaction. Giving can also lead to a longer life as you are more content and kinder, meaning you have a happier mental state which reduces risks of health issues.
Emotional well-being
When you immerse yourself in acts of kindness, such as giving, you can foster empathy and compassion. This allows you to connect deeply with others and understand and feel for others’ situations. This social connection can help to reduce loneliness and isolation which are huge risks for many health issues. As well as this, the gratitude you experience when giving or receiving can improve your overall emotional well-being.
Physical health
The benefits of giving extend beyond mental and emotional health. If you volunteer regularly or give back, you can have lower blood pressure, better overall physical health, and a long and healthy life.
Spiritual growth
Giving back can match many people’s spiritual and philosophical beliefs. Giving can reinforce your values while providing you with a sense of fulfillment. Acts of service can be a type of meditation in action. It allows you to practice mindfulness and being present in the moment through helping others. This leads to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of your place in the world.
How to incorporate giving into your life
There are many ways in which you can incorporate giving into your life to reap the rewards and, more importantly, help others in need. These can be:
- Monetary donations: You can donate your money to causes you care about as regularly as you can. If you are Muslim, you can pay zakat as a form of giving to those in need too.
- Volunteer: This can be at local organizations that uphold the same values as you.
- Spend time with others & be emotionally available: Listen and give advice to your loved ones when they need it.
- Do random acts of kindness: Being kind every day through random acts can make you feel purpose and meaning. This can be through helping the elderly, providing food for an orphan, assisting your neighbor with a job, or giving money to the homeless.
- Donate old items: As well as monetary donations, you can donate any unwanted items that can help others such as clothing, furniture, food, winter-warmers, and other necessities.
- Adoption: Adopting a child or animal can give to charity and transform the lives of orphans and unwanted pets.
- Be kind to the environment: Be more sustainable with your choices and give back to the Earth. You can recycle and reuse more and plant trees with the community.
Giving is very powerful and is interconnected closely to our wellness. It can lower your blood pressure, increase self-esteem, lower stress levels, and give you a longer and happier life. Giving back to those in need aids their mental state and yours, allowing you to feel good about yourself, your choices, and your lifestyle. Try to give back more often daily to reap the wellness rewards and change the lives of those in need.
