"She couldn't thank this stranger enough as he saved her life that day, little she knew two lives were saved, hers and that of the stranger"

Martha Descart

There is so much people in need of help in our society yet there is so many more in need of giving. In a society plagued by emotional and physical problems it may be a good idea to turn to a remedy that has always been available to us. The remedy is known to all of us by different names including generosity, giving, helping others, altruism; whatever you decide to call it, scientific evidence shows it brings benefits to your general wellbeing and to society as a whole.

Among the benefits scientifically proven is the fact that giving can help add years to your life; generous people can experience up to 22 percent mortality reduction and the good news is you do not need to be an elderly to start benefiting as young children can also benefit. Also, by being generous chronic pain sufferers can manage their pain better; different studies have concluded that individuals afflicted with pain are able to significantly reduce their physical pain just by little acts of generosity. The same is true when it comes to high blood pressure. A different study concluded that volunteering at least four hours a week over a year can drop your blood pressure and the positive effects last as long as four years after. Furthermore, studies also show that just by practicing generosity one can prevent funcional health decline including walking speed and physical strength.

Another great side effect of generosity is experienced in our general emotional wellbeing. Studies show that just by being generous we become happier and acquire a sense of purpose and satisfaction which are antidotes to feelings of sadness, anxiety and other feelings of emotional distress. These studies also show that endorphin in our brains are released producing the "helper's high effect" just by practicing simple acts of kindness. Altruism also promotes socialization and cooperation with others; oxytocin, a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of warm, empathy and euphoria in our brain is also released just by being generous; its effects can last up to two hours. An extremely positive effect of giving is that it is contagious; the more people give the more people join this in turn increases socialization and set good example for youth and others to follow. Some scientists have also concluded that teenagers who volunteer succeed better at school and tend to have a healthier self image.

Given all the positive effects related to generously giving, the next step would be to learn how can we start practicing generosity. The truth is there is always an opportunity around us to practice it as there are millions of opportunities and example of acts of kindness. The following are just a few examples of opportunities to practice generosity:

Show and let all your loved ones know how much you love and appreciate having them in your life. Show your affection, write notes, call them unexpectedly just to say "I love you".
Greet your neighbors especially the ones in need of validation or somebody to talk to. We live in such a hurried society that many of us pretend not to see our own neighbors to avoid saying "hi" afraid of a small talk. You would be surprised to learn how many people do not have anybody close in their lives; they live isolated, overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety and loneliness.
Assign one day of the week when you will attempt at least five acts of generosity. May be letting a fellow driver merge into your lane, thanking your coworkers for all they have done for you lately, listening to a friend you know is in need of being listened, etc.; the choices are endless as are the benefits for you and the ones you practice generosity with.
Become a volunteer with an organization in your community. Soup kitchens, hospitals, shelters are just a few of organizations always in need of volunteers. Soon, you may be surprised how much in love you fall with the people being helped and the cause.
Take care of the environment. Make the determination for example to use less plastic, recycle, eat and drive less. Be attentive, as you may soon gladly discover how much money you start saving just by saving our beautiful planet.

It is my hope that with this article I had succeeded in convincing you to incorporate more acts of kindness into your life and that soon you will be giving me and others testimony of how much generosity has improved your overall health. Small acts of generosity will positively impact your physical health, will add years to your life, will improve your emotional wellbeing and your relationships with others and will benefit society as a whole. Lots of Luck!

The Gift of Giving

Martha Descart, LCSW