Do you want to live a long and healthy life?
Making a gift releases the chemical messenger dopamine in your brain. Low levels can make you feel tired, moody, and unmotivated but higher levels put you in a good mood and motivate you to start and complete tasks. It is also beneficial to your immune system.
In a study by the University of Zurich in Switzerland, Professor Philippe Tobler found that older people who practice generosity tend to have better health as well. It may be “as effective at lowering blood pressure as medication or exercise. Moreover, there is a positive association between helping others and life expectancy, perhaps because helping others reduces stress.”
Here are some unexpected ways you can give (and experience a dopamine boost):
- Pass along a family heirloom. Instead of buying something new, give a prized family possession this year – when you can, surprise the recipient and enjoy their reaction.
- Teach what you know. Some of the best gifts aren’t wrapped. Pass down your skill of knitting, carpentry, or a beloved family recipe with the techniques that can’t be written down, only demonstrated.
- Give compassion. Does your loved one value a specific cause or group? Donate in their honor.
- Include a personalized note. No matter how old we get, a genuine compliment goes a long way. Write down how you feel about your loved one. Recall a special memory you share or list words that remind you of them. What have they taught you?
- Think long-term. Giving charitable gifts to an organization you love makes a huge difference. Have you ever thought about leaving a gift in your will to Huntsville Hospital Foundation? This type of plan-ahead generosity will not only leave an impact for future generations but fill your heart with joy and satisfaction today, too.
