There are some people out there who enjoy the act of giving gifts to loved ones as much as, if not more than, receiving them. If you are one of these people, then you will no doubt love Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc., that happen throughout the year.
This feeling, one of being generous, is actually something that has been shown by science to make you happier. If you think about this for a minute, it kind of makes sense. What makes you feel better? Buying yourself a fancy pair of shoes or buying a sweatshirt for your best friend that you know they will absolutely love.
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Being Generous is Embedded in Your DNA
As a human, you are naturally community and social-minded. After all, you live with other people, eat with them, and work alongside them for the great majority of every day. Part of the attraction to this is that you get to look after them. Sharing things with others, whether that be knowledge or food, goes to show us humans are inherently generous.
The famous scientist Charles Darwin once said that those “communities which included the greatest number of the most sympathetic members would flourish best.” What he means by this is that human generosity is one of the reasons why our species has continued to expand and really thrive. If humans were inherently selfish, then not sharing would likely have been the cause of our extinction many years ago.
Giving Releases Endorphins
Science has shown that human brains are hard-wired, so they get pleasure from giving gifts to others. Numerous studies have shown that we feel much better by spending money on other people rather than on ourselves. The look that you see on the person’s face as they open a gift actually provides you with a psychological impact that starts the release of endorphins into your brain, giving you a feeling of euphoria and pleasure. This is similar to the really good feeling that you experience when falling in love or after completing a tough physical workout.
Gifts Not Only Maintain but Improve Relationships
Science has also shown that a good gift can help to both build and strengthen a relationship with a loved one. This is especially true for a gift or gifts that come with a meaning behind them. For example, if your other half has had a particularly troublesome week at work, you may want to buy them a gift to cheer them up. Not only will they most likely appreciate the gift itself, as well as the meaning behind it, i.e. an attempt to cheer them up. Doing this will also have the same effect on you.
Buying gifts for others is something that is not hard and is something that you can enjoy doing regardless of what your budget is. Giving the smallest of gifts really can make you feel good.
FAQs
Why does giving gifts make me happy?
Is it better to give or receive gifts?
Can giving gifts improve my health?
How can I become a better gift-giver?
Does the price of the gift matter?
Conclusion
The act of giving gifts is far more than a simple exchange of objects. It’s a profound expression of human connection, empathy, and generosity that has the power to impact both the giver and the recipient positively. From the neurochemical reactions that flood our brains with feel-good hormones to the psychological benefits of strengthening relationships and boosting self-esteem, gift-giving offers a multitude of rewards that contribute to our overall well-being.
Moreover, the ripple effect of generosity extends beyond individual interactions, fostering stronger communities and potentially creating a more compassionate society. The health benefits associated with giving provide yet another compelling reason to embrace a generous spirit, offering potential improvements in cardiovascular health, immune function, and even longevity.
