Three ways generosity is good for us.

I recently read a quote attributed to Seth Rogen:“So many people paid to watch the Mayweather v McGregor Fight. Imagine if everybody paid to build up their communities or help people in need.”

That quote got me thinking about how we respond to the needs of people around us so I put the quote on Instagram with the words “Great thought, @sethrogen. Can we make it happen?”

From that post I was correctly reminded that our communities are funded by tax dollars so, in essence, when we pay taxes we are building up our communities and helping people in need.

But shouldn’t we take it a step further, at the very least? 

Shouldn’t we be teaching our children and our children’s children the importance of giving (and being generous)?

In my opinion, giving is a noble act. I’ve been known to say that generosity and giving to others is the right thing to do. As humans, we should be looking for opportunities to give, and taking those opportunities when they present themselves.

However, beyond the noble and “it’s the right thing to do” reasons for generosity, there are ways that generosity is good for us. 

Here are three of those ways:

1. Generosity reduces stress.

Studies have shown that people who are stingy have higher levels of stress. Their lack of generosity creates feelings of shame and regret, which raises their cortisol levels (“the stress hormone”).

These studies show that the giver’s stress is reduced through generosity, but I know that the person receiving has a little less stress coursing through their veins, as well.

2. Happiness and generosity are linked.

Studies have shown a clear connection between generosity and happiness. “More and more research illustrates the power of altruism,” Donald Moynihan, a professor in the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the university, said in a statement. “Our findings make a simple but profound point about altruism: Helping others makes us happier. Altruism is not a form of martyrdom, but operates for many as part of a healthy psychological reward system.”

3. There is a cycle of good that is fueled by generosity.

The feelings associated with being generous toward another person (or an organization) is so strong that thinking about those moments of giving generally motivates a person to desire to be generous again (and again).

Every race I’ve ever run has been attached to a mission or cause. I clearly remember the first one I ever ran in. As I ran past signs that people held on the side of the road: “we’re one step closer to a cure because of you” and “we’re in this together.” I remember feeling that I was a part of something so much bigger than myself.

Generosity has that same result. 

There is evidence for the positive results of generosity in every generous decision we make. It is truly a mutually beneficial activity. 

As we choose to live a life clothed in generosity, we will begin to see our world - and the lives in it - changed for the better.

[I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about this post. Use the comment section below or click here to tell your story.]

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