WHY GIVING MAKES US HAPPIER
Many of us believe spending money on ourselves will make us happier than spending money on others. Yet the opposite is true: In one study, participants were asked to spend $5 on themselves or $5 on someone else.
WHEN YOU GIVE TO ANOTHER PERSON, THERE’S A PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE:
Your brain's pleasure and reward centers light up as if you were the recipient of the good deed—not the giver. You get a boost of feel-good endorphins—the same ones associated with a runner's high.Oxytocin, a hormone also released during sex, floods your body, lowering your stress and making you feel more connected to others. And keep your eyes peeled for random acts of kindness: Simply witnessing generosity
A dose of oxytocin will cause people to give more generously and to feel more empathy towards others—and those "symptoms" can last up to 2 hours. This is likely why recipients of kindness generally want to keep paying it forward. In fact, a single act of kindness can inspire several more acts of generosity.
TO START A DOMINO EFFECT OF WARM AND FUZZY FEELINGS:
- Pay the toll for the car behind you
- Offer your seat to someone else on a crowded train or bus.
- Pick up 5 pieces of trash the next time you're on a walk.
- Write a thank-you note to your child’s teacher or coach
- Invite a neighbor who lives alone to join you for dinner
- And keep your eyes peeled for random acts of kindness: Simply witnessing generosity can spur more acts of good.
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