The Personal and Public Health Benefits of Generosity

The Personal and Public Health Benefits of Generosity

Of all the intangible “medicinals” I’ve blogged about here,
I think this is the one I struggle most with. 
Maybe it’s because this attribute was not one fostered or encouraged in
the family I grew up in.  I have had good
examples around me in adulthood, but I guess I’m a slow learner with some
things.  Still, I do try to make improvements.

We are commanded in scripture to give, to be generous,
especially with the less fortunate, whether they are less fortunate with their food,
clothing, and other material goods or poor in spirit.  Because giving makes the world a better
place.  What’s often not realized is that
giving also helps keep us healthy.

Here’s how:

·      
Cardiovascular

o  
Hypertension. 
People who were generous with their money lowered their blood pressure.[1]

·      
Neurological

o  
Anxiety.[2]  Helping a specific person in need reduced
anxiety and stress in the giver.

o  
Happiness/Depression.  People who were generous with their money
were happier.[3]

o  
Happiness at work depends on it.  This study was conducted among individuals in
a regular workplace environment.[4]  By logical extension, the same should apply
to working with others at home or in the neighborhood.  It helps others feel more committed and less
likely to quit. 

·      
Other

o  
Lowers cortisol levels.  Being stingy, and being ashamed of it, raises
cortisol levels in the blood, and chronically high levels of this hormone adversely
affect health.[5]

o  
Longer life. 
Being generous with your time reduces the mortality rate by buffering
the association between stress and mortality.[6]  Basically, those big words say that helping
others helps you live longer by lowering your own stress levels.

What do these researchers mean by “being generous”?  It’s not all about money.  It’s mostly about time and small, thoughtful
gestures

• Holding the door open.
• Smiling.
• Asking someone how their day is going.

• Giving people your full attention when talking
  to them.

• Bringing a small treat to someone.
• Offering a genuine compliment.

At the same time it is just as important to allow others to
be generous.  Being independent, like we
prepper-types really like to be, robs others of the opportunity of giving and
receiving the blessings of being generous as well. 

And we need to show appreciation.  When others are generous to us, instead of
saying “You shouldn’t have,” just say “Thank you.”  Even better, follow up with a sincere
expression of what it means to you.[7]

We’ve all noticed disturbing trends in our society over the
past few years.  Some attribute it to the
start of COVID and social distancing.  Regardless,
we’ve seen increasing rudeness, road rage, and increased selfishness and lack
of concern for or empathy with others. 
We may not be able to change the world, but we can be a force for
positive change in our homes and communities by being generous in small and
simple ways.  I’m going to try
harder.  I hope you will, too.

Links to related
posts:

The Health Benefits of Gratitude  

Prepping for Better Health with Forgiveness 

For
further reading:

https://www.columbiadoctors.org/news/generosity-good-your-health