Wellfie Wednesday Tip #125: The Art of Giving
/Happy Wellfie Wednesday! Welcome back! This week is brought to you by Diana (@DianaKlatt).
‘Tis the season of eating a lot of food and for giving thanks, however time of the year is not all these two things have in common!
Early on in life, we learn that it is better to give than to receive and we are taught that it is good to help those in need. But is there something deeper to this other than what we are taught?
Science says yes!
Researchers at the University of California Berkeley and the National Institutes of Health have discovered that there is neurological data that indicates that there is a positive psychological impact associated with giving. It appears that our brain ignites the “reward” system when we are donating or being charitable in a similar way to when we eat food.
This euphoric feeling we experience when he help others is what researchers call the "helper's high." There is a growing body of evidence that shows we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive.
This is something that is especially important to think about during this holiday season with the increasing amounts of devastation due to natural disasters (hurricanes, fires) and ongoing conflict around the world, especially those currently affected by the fires in California. Giving makes you thankful for what you have. Spread the positivity; compassion and helping others can have a great ripple effect throughout and around the world.
We wish you and your family a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!
If you were hoping for some tips and tricks to survive this week, be sure to check out last year’s post Don’t Get Overstuffed.
Thanks for all of the support, be sure to post your pictures this week and tag the WW crew members in your post (@TheFuelPhysio, @Eric_in_AmERICa, @FreestylePhysio, @DianaKlatt) and keep the wave of healthy change going!
-WW Crew
Resources:
Harbaugh WT, Mayr U, Burghart DR. (2007). Neural responses to taxation and voluntary giving reveal motives for charitable donations. Science.316(5831):1622-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17569866
Santi, J. (2015). The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories and Science Behind the Transformative Power of Giving. Penguin.