It is expected to give gifts on birthdays and holidays, but sometimes the unexpected gifts are the best ones. Gifting doesn’t only benefit the receiver, but it also benefits the giver. Giving gifts has many benefits such as building connections, improving your mood, and improving your physical health, which all impact how you feel mentally. Investing in others is the key to a happier and healthier life.
Check out these 8 benefits of gifting “just because”.
1. Creates Stronger Connections
Part of improving your mental health is strengthening your connection with friends. Gift-giving is a love language that can help build a relationship. Connecting with friends and acquaintances through gift-giving builds a trust that you have someone there that cares about you. The emotional benefits of having a good friend to lean on can dramatically improve your mental health.
2. Makes You a Happier Person
Often, the biggest goal of improving your mental health is to be happier and more content with yourself. Seeing a friend open a gift that you got them releases serotonin. People who volunteer and give more frequently tend to be happier people. Next time you need an instant mood booster, consider giving back to your community.
3. Boosts Confidence
Knowing you have made someone happy by giving them a gift improves your self-esteem. There is a strong connection between confidence in yourself and good mental health.
4. Reduces Anxiety
Giving gifts makes people happier, which ultimately leads to less stress and anxiety. No matter what may have happened earlier in the day, seeing the joy on someone’s face when they open a gift you got them is a great way to make your worries fade.
5. Evokes Gratitude
When someone shows gratitude towards you, it will make you feel happier. It also can make you happier when you show gratitude to someone else. Gift-giving is an expression of gratitude that evokes appreciation from the receiver, which leads to positive emotions in the giver. It can be a positive mental health experience for everyone!
6. Promotes Good Karma
Whether you believe in karma or not, it is proven that doing good things for others leads to better rewards for you down the road. Being selfless without someone expecting you to be, promotes good karma. After all, what goes around comes around.
7. Could Extend Your Life
It is no secret that those who have better mental health are more likely to live longer, fuller lives. Poor mental health leads to stress and anxiety, which can make you physically ill. To avoid stress and release serotonin, give gifts! This is a simple way to potentially extend your life.
8. Spreads The Love
When one person gives a gift, it inspires others to do the same. Hats and t-shirts are cool gifts for friends, while random acts of kindness are often the best gifts to give strangers. Spreading the love throughout your community can lead to a happier and healthier place to live.
Some simple ways to spread the love to your community include:
- Delivering homemade cookies to your neighbors
- Paying for the person behind you in the drive-thru line
- Donating clothes to the local shelter
Take advantage of the free serotonin you can be receiving from giving back to your friends and community. Your mental health will thank you.
Please include attribution to redbubble.com with this graphic.
