Health Benefits of Giving

During the season of giving — and year-round — your health can benefit from acts of giving, such as giving gifts, donating to charity, or giving your time to volunteer. The purpose of the season is to think of others and what better way than choosing the perfect gift or volunteering? As a result of giving, your health can actually benefit; see how below.

• You will feel happier. Seeing the joy on the person’s face you gave a gift to or volunteered for will lift your spirits. Their happiness is contagious and will make you feel satisfied with yourself.
• Lessen depression and anxiety. As you work on finding the right gifts or volunteering your time for those who need it, you may find it stabilizing and calming. Instead of over-thinking in your space, you will be out trying to make someone else’s day better.
• Alleviates stress. By focusing on someone else, your stress levels decrease because you aren’t focused on your own life and its problems. When you’re spending your time doing something for someone else, you begin to have fun because you know how happy it will make them.
• Boosts your self-esteem. The praise you will receive from giving the perfect gift or volunteering your time is an automatic self-esteem booster. You will feel accomplished and happy that you did something that really mattered to someone.

 For more information on ways to boost your mood this holiday season, call Mercy EAP at (319) 398-6575 and schedule a video, phone or in-person appointment.