It has been said that generosity makes at least two people feel good.
It has also been said that generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.
And I couldn’t agree more. Sharing what I learn about mindfulness on this blog and organizing free community meetings has been one of the most fulfilling endeavours of my life. That’s why I want to share 10 reasons why generosity is important in our life, according to everyone.
1. Generosity Elevates Your Mood
When endorphins are released into the brain, they produce a rush of euphoria sometimes referred to as the “helper’s high.” This rush, along with increased feelings of satisfaction, creates what scientists call a “warm glow” effect that can improve a person’s mood. A recent study published in Nature Communications found that when participants committed to spending money on other people and behaving more generously, they were more likely to self-report feelings of happiness compared to participants who spent money on themselves.
Source: Benefits of Generosity – Anthem EAP Program
2. Generosity Builds Your Confidence
Generosity can be a major confidence builder. When we are generous, the story we tell about ourselves turns into something positive – simply put, we feel good about ourselves when we’re generous. Our critical inner voice struggles to grab onto hurtful comments when the reality is that we spent energy and time investing into someone else. Our self-perception plays into our reputation; others may begin to see you as a generous and kind individual. Both our self-perception and our reputation can further build into a self-fulfilling prophecy, as the expectation becomes the reality.
Source: The Psychological Benefits of Generosity – Optimum Joy
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3. Generosity Improves Your Health
Here’s something amazing: being generous can actually be good for your health. Research shows that it can lower blood pressure, just like exercise or medication. It’s a stress-buster, too. When you’re focused on helping others, it takes your mind off your own worries and anxieties.
Beyond physical health, generosity also combats mental health issues. It can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, offering a natural remedy through the joy and satisfaction derived from helping others. This aspect of generosity is particularly powerful, illustrating how our mental and physical well-being are interconnected.
Source: Why Generosity Might Be the Best-Kept Secret to a Happier Life – Insider Insights! – Passive Income MD
4. Generosity Makes You Happy
Giving our time and money to others gives us an emotional boost. Why? According to researcher Christian Smith it’s because feeling good is a product of doing good. It’s built into our neurochemistry.
Giving triggers feel-good chemicals like endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin. And it’s true across cultural and economic lines, too, according to a Harvard Business School study. It’s just part of being human.
Source: 5 Research-Backed Benefits of Making Generosity a Habit – Full Focus
5. Generosity Is a Virtue
Generosity is a virtue valued in all cultures. It is the act of giving freely to others without expecting anything in return. Generosity can be expressed in many ways, from donating money to charity to volunteering your time to help others.
Source: The Power of Generosity – Anthem Strong Families
6. Generosity Prolongs Your Life
You read that right. Many studies have found that longer life expectancy is another one of the benefits of generosity!
One study looked at health and lifestyles of older married couples. Couples were asked how much of their time was spent helping others, and whether or not they had recently experienced stressful life events. Their risk of dying was then tracked for a five-year period.
The conclusion was that those who had experienced stressful events had a higher risk of death. In contrast, those who experienced stressful life events and spent time helping others did not have a higher risk of death.
Source: 6 surprising benefits of being a generous person – Compassion Canada
7. Generosity Helps You Find Meaning Outside Your Possessions
Yet at the same time, generous people find meaning outside their possessions. Which is what Joe was commenting on at our dinner.
Although many people wrap up self-worth in net worth (as if a person’s true value could ever be tallied on a balance sheet!), generous people find their value in helping others. They quickly realize that their bank statement says nothing about their true value.
Because of this, they have less desire for more. They have found fulfillment, meaning, value, and relationships outside the acquisition of possessions.
Source: The Blessing of Generosity – Becoming Minimalist
8. Generosity Helps You Build Strong Relationships
Being generous can also help build strong relationships. When you give to others, they are more likely to reciprocate, creating a cycle of giving that strengthens your bond with them. Additionally, generosity can inspire others to give more, creating a ripple effect of kindness.
Source: The Importance and Benefits of Generosity – NTF
9. Generosity Helps You Live a More Fulfilling Life
When we choose to embrace generosity in our lives, we open ourselves up to a more fulfilling and blessed existence. By giving our time, talents, possessions, and money to others, we not only make a positive impact on their lives, but we also experience a deeper sense of purpose and joy within ourselves.
Source: Embracing Generosity In Your Life – First Orlando
10. Generosity Is Contagious
The part of our brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust gets energized when we are generous, making us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This happens whether we are the giver or we witness an act of generosity. Remember the last scene in the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life?” The bank examiner, Carter, for those of you who can never remember his name, who almost shut down the Bailey Building & Loan, ends up giving of his own money to save it instead. Why? Simple, he got caught up in the generosity frenzy that was happening. It’s contagious, and it’s the most spiritual thing we have the privilege of doing.
Source: The Benefits of Generosity – Christian Stewardship Network
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Complement with “Generosity Wins: How and Why this Game-Changing Superpower Drives Our Success” by Monte Wood and Nicole F. Roberts our articles on 10 reasons why kindness is important in our lives and 100 kindness quotes to improve mindfulness.
I’m a freelance writer and mindfulness advocate behind this blog. I started my meditation practice in 2014, and in 2017 I launched this website to share what I learn with others. Here are the three things you can do here:
1. Schedule a free consult if you want to learn Buddhist meditation.
2. Download free mindfulness resources for stress relief
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