A lady at my church brings a bag of candy every Sunday to share with all church members. She even offers a sugar-free version to cut down on all of our excuses. Smiling radiantly, she shares her candy with joy and excitement. My family and I look forward to the “candy lady” even though we are not big on sweets. Right now, I am ashamed to admit that I don’t know her name, but I will rectify that when I see her tomorrow. To her, I say thank you. We appreciate the candy and keep up the good work! I can tell this single act of giving us candy brings our “candy lady” joy and, most likely, benefits her health. So, is there a relationship between giving and your health? What are some other benefits of giving? And what exactly happens in our brains when we give to others?
Physiological effects of giving
Have you ever felt very excited when you are about to give someone a gift? There is a reason for that euphoria associated with giving to others. Research shows that giving stimulates the reward center in the brain (the mesolimbic pathway), causing the release of certain chemicals in our brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.
As you give, the release of serotonin causes an uplifting of your mood and eliminates any feeling of depression. The release of dopamine (the “happy hormone”) increases our sense of well-being. The effects of oxytocin (the “love hormone”) are more complex, but generally, it results in bonding and compassion towards others. The overall impact of the increase in these three chemicals is a euphoric feeling of happiness, known as the “helper’s high.”
Now, let’s look at the relationship between giving and your health.
Giving and your health
Health benefits of giving
Giving improves both our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that people who give to others experience:
3) Less anxiety and depression.
5) Longer life.
6) Greater sense of well-being.
Next, what are some other benefits of giving?
Benefits of giving
1) Giving enriches you
Giving to others produces greater riches in you. It seems more logical to assume that your income will determine how much you give. However, philosophical teachings, Christianity, and most other religions believe that giving leads to prosperity.
Here is what the Bible has to say about this:
Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity (Luke 6:38, MSG).
If you are still not convinced, here is one study that showed strong evidence that money giving does, in fact, positively influence income and produces substantial benefits to the giver. In summary, the more you give, the more you make.
2) Giving produces growth
Like a river, you need to flow to avoid stagnation. The more you give, the more you create a void or space that, when filled, produces growth.
3) Giving is a road to self-discovery
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
By giving to others, you will find your true self.
4) Giving changes your focus
Giving to others switches your focus from yourself to the receiver. As a result, you no longer focus on what the universe owes you but what you owe the universe.
5) Giving produces gratitude
One of the ways to cultivate the habit of gratitude is by giving to others. Giving acknowledges that you feel fortunate to possess something that you can share with others who possibly need it more than you do.
6) Giving produces freedom
Some people are too afraid to give because they feel that they will be worse off if they do. What they hold on to can be described as their God because that is where they put their trust. However, giving something away indicates that what you let go of does not control you. Giving is indeed freeing!
7) Giving transforms lives
“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” – Mary Anne Radmacher.
The act of giving brings about positive transformation in the lives of the giver and the receiver.
8) Giving is a catalyst for more giving
Giving is contagious. Your giving inspires others to give back to you or others. Ultimately, giving makes the world a better place for us all.
9) Giving fulfills a social need in us
We human beings are social creatures. Giving reinforces our social connectedness. As a matter of fact, we interact with others through giving and receiving. For example, a new mom provides her newborn with milk and nurturing while the newborn provides the mom with a sense of joy and pride, and maybe sleepless nights. Well, we win some, we lose some. But you get my point.
10) Giving brings about fulfillment
Giving is self-rewarding. Ultimately, it produces in us feelings of peace, self-worth, and accomplishment. Undoubtedly, you have not lived your best life until you start giving yourself to others. Then, and only then, will you live to your fullest potential.
11) Giving helps you find your true purpose
We all worry about finding our purpose in life. Consequently, we read books and ask ourselves deep questions that eventually give us a headache. Questions like “who am I?” and “why am I here?” etc. So, let’s make this a little easier. Here is how to find your true purpose: Identify your gifts and contribute to the world by serving others with those gifts. In so doing, you will find your true purpose.
12) Giving brings about promotion
Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! (Proverbs 18:16, NLT).
Giving is a vehicle for promotion. If you desire promotion in any area of your life, try sowing by giving. Sooner or later, you will reap a bountiful harvest.
What can you give?
Money and material gifts are not the only things we can give to others. It is quite easy to convince ourselves that we have nothing to give if we struggle financially. The truth is everyone has something to give. You can give your time, prayers, love, friendship, goodwill, etc.
For example, I have a group of medical friends who travel to less privileged countries to perform free surgeries on those that cannot afford it. They are giving their time, skills, and knowledge to serve these economically disadvantaged individuals.
Can you give too much?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes! We can only give what we have. Giving what we don’t have is like writing a check from an account with a zero or negative balance. The objective of giving is not to wear yourself thin to the point where you are stressed out and cannot enjoy the benefits of giving. Therefore, take a good look at your resources, including money, time, etc., and give only what you are capable of giving.
Final thoughts
What is the greatest gift that you have ever given or received? This verse from the Bible can help you understand what giving truly is:
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life (John 3:16, MSG).
Undoubtedly, it is nice to round up your grocery bills and donate a few coins to children with cancer and other good causes. However, this kind of giving does not cost us much because it is not sacrificial. Think about this Bible story:
Just then, he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” (Luke 21: 1-4, MSG).
Yes, those one-dollar bills you put in those tip jars are good, but what if you did more? By giving more, you are not only blessing others, but you are sowing to your health, wellness, and happiness.
Finally, what blessings have you received that you can give others today? Remember, it can be as simple as a call to an old friend or volunteering in your community. So, find something to give today and experience the transformational power of giving!
Please feel free to share your comments below, and also feel free to share this article.
Yours in health and fitness,
Doctor Abi
