In Giving We Receive…and Heal

In Giving We Receive…and Heal

We likely have been reminded by our parents, “It’s better to give than receive!” and as children that was likely something that didn’t always feel true. Yet, as we move up in years, we find that they were really giving us health advice. 

Sure, we’re thick into the month of giving – of our time, presents, and perhaps donations to charities. For many, giving can seem to be a cause of stress, looking at long lists and long lines at the stores. Even those who opt to buy something online know the stress of late or missed deliveries of those gifts. 

Let’s take a step back, however, and really reimagine giving as the virtue and benefit it provides to the giver, and was always meant to be. 

First, physiology… In a study on the effects of charitable donations at Rush University, researchers performed MRI scans on donors. The part of their brains that controls feelings of reward and pleasure "lit up," or became active after giving. The parts that became active are in the mesolimbic system, which is also activated by things like food, drugs and sex.
Yes! Giving can bring the same effect as a slice of cake, or… the other things. 

As for mental well-being, giving definitely has more impact as you get older, but mainly this is due to motivation.
Younger people are often compelled to give out of obligation, which dampens the effect. Yet giving activities can lead to greater self-esteem, life satisfaction and sense of purpose for many, especially if they are there to see the recipient receive their gift.

Giving may also decrease your risk of depression and symptoms such as sadness or lack of energy. And as heart disease and other health conditions are often linked to depression and low self-esteem, the act of giving would seem to benefit mental and physical health. 

Maybe it’s giving of your time, and not a wrapped gift that might be more interesting to you. Great news – volunteering is also associated with positive health. Research on middle-aged to older adult volunteers found that they had less belly fat, better cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels, compared with non-volunteers.

Multiple studies have also linked giving to decreased mortality, or risk of death. The link might point to the sense of purpose giving can bring.

As with all endeavors, pushing yourself to volunteer, or spending so much time volunteering or overspending on gifts or donations, can prove counter-productive.
It’s not science to understand that only when it comes from the heart can giving truly give back.

Here’s a challenge, or an opportunity to try this out on yourself: Find a cause, a person, or an opportunity to give. If it’s random, and the receiver is someone who would never expect it or be able to repay you, even better. Give them your time, like a ride to the grocery store for someone who is unable to drive. Or hand them money if you feel comfortable. 
In one case, a business owner in Arizona conducted random acts of kindness by giving away $35,000 in cash over a week’s time, calling his giving moments in some cases “reverse receipts” or “single mom Tuesdays.” He had once been homeless himself, and knew the feeling of being in need. Now successful, he wanted to give back.
The funny thing was that many of the people he gave to had no outward indication of need, but one older woman for whom he paid her grocery bill on her way out of the store, explained that she was about to lose her home and his act of generosity changed everything. It also impacted the business owner, Rob Schober, who explained that he’s been brought to tears when his unsuspecting receivers share their stories. 

So giving is so much more than a dollar amount or time spent in unpaid service. It’s an act of humanity that is often missing from our lives, whether we are the giver or the receiver.

In this season, we hope you have the opportunity and blessing to take part, and share in the healing and hope it can bring… well into the new year!

Season's Greetings!