And now for something completely different. The “Holidays” are here and the rush is on. The rush for what? Well there are family dinners to plan, decorating the house, trimming the tree and let’s not forget all those presents we need to shop for. For me this time of year is also a time for reflection. I like gifts but when I stop and take an honest look at my life it’s actually filled with gifts. Gifts that I receive everyday, a smile from a stranger all the way to finding a dollar bill on the sidewalk. Most of the gifts though are intangible unlike the lucky dollar. Most gifts are gifts of the heart.
I recently read an article that said that giving can actually make you healthier. That too is a gift. And it doesn’t have to be a new X-Box 360 either. Quite the contrary; We grew up being told that it’s better to give than to receive. And now science has the proof. Here’s a quick guide to what’s in it for you.
It’s The Thought That Counts
Simply contemplating generosity boosts your immunity. When Harvard students watched a film about Mother Teresa tending to orphans, the number of protective antibodies in their saliva surged; when the students were asked to focus on times when they’d been loved by or loving to others, their antibody levels stayed elevated for an hour. In another study, the brain’s pleasure centers lit up when people made check marks next to a list of organizations to which they wanted to donate.
Lend An Ear, Help Your Heart
Being generous with your attention can reduce your risk of heart attack. Cardiac arrest is highly correlated with the amount of self-reference (“I,” “me,” “my”) in a person’s speech. The best advice? Listen to and connect with others—social ties lower your risk of dying from heart disease.
Lend A Hand, Lower Your Pain
People suffering from chronic pain report decreased intensity, and less disability and depression, when they reach out to others in similar pain. In one study, pain was reduced by 13 percent. Scientists believe the release of endorphins explains the phenomenon.
Goodness Nose
In a study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University, people who were socially connected reported catching fewer colds. Volunteering is, of course, one of the simplest ways to connect.
Love Heals Some Wounds
In a 2005 Ohio State University study, married couples were given tiny blisters on two occasions. During the first visit, they talked to each other supportively; during the second, they hashed out relationship conflicts. The blisters took a day longer to heal after the second visit, and two days longer in couples with high levels of anger.
The Magic Touch
There’s an off switch for the adrenal gland’s production of the stress hormone cortisol: massage. A study that recruited retirees to give massages showed that their cortisol—as well as their anxiety and depression—levels dropped significantly.
Think About It
Look the “Holidays” are fun and filled with tradition but this year I’m going to take some time and veer just a bit off of the traditional path and do a different kind of giving. I hope that you will too.
