Research suggests that gift giving can maximize happiness, whether it’s to people or causes you care about. Learn more about the fascinating psychology of giving in this blog, and how being more generous can benefit you!
The Case for 'Selfishness'
Before we get started, full disclosure: Everyone needs to be a little selfish sometimes.
It’s very healthy to prioritize one’s wellbeing to better show up for others and to present the best version of oneself. This type of moderate selfishness – more accurately described in modernity as self-care – should not be discounted or discouraged.
That being said, when it comes to reserving financial and material resources solely for oneself, there’s little to suggest doing so is an effective way to secure contentment. Indeed, chronic selfishness can cause major issues in all types of relationships, lead to reputational damage, and even erode personal mental health.
As we’ll establish in this article, giving to others is arguably one of the best ways to make yourself feel good while also doing good for the people and institutions around you. Sounds like a win-win!
Why Does Giving Feel Good?
If you’ve ever known – or are! – someone who volunteers, you may be familiar with the idea of a “warm glow” that comes from doing something selfless or charitable. But this is more than just an expression – research has shown that prosocial behavior can literally raise one’s body temperature, perhaps even giving their cheeks a rosy tint.
Furthermore, it’s generally agreed upon by scientists that giving produces those feel-good chemicals we all crave. Namely, giving stimulates the production of oxytocin and endorphins, the sorts of neurotransmitters released when we get a hug from someone we love, or when we reach the peak of a runner’s high during a workout.
There are also the added benefits of improving self-esteem and one’s personal view of their moral compass. Don’t we all instinctively feel better about ourselves after doing something that isn’t obviously for ourselves, whether it’s a productive day of work on behalf of a client or an afternoon spent shopping for loved ones’ Christmas presents?
Scientific Studies Support Giving
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that in a significant sample (>1700) of students, those who were randomly assigned to make a purchase for someone else reported greater feelings of happiness after the act than the group of students assigned to make a purchase for themselves.
This type of study has been replicated many times to produce similar results, and such findings can be explained by the responsive physiology of the brain’s reward system. Researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland found that in a group of 50 people given $100 each, half instructed to spend on themselves and half instructed to spend on someone else, the latter group demonstrated greater brain activity in the neurological areas associated with generosity and social-task-related pleasure. Even after the experiment, the “generous” group reported better social interactions and greater levels of happiness.
How to Make Giving a Regular Practice
If you want to reap the broad benefits demonstrated by the psychology of giving, you’re likely wondering how to make it a habit. Start by considering how you currently use your givable resources (for most of us, “resources” boil down to time or money).
Between work, family, and the demands of everyday life, most of us don’t have a lot of spare time to give in a big way, however much we might wish to. The time that we do have is generally relegated to errands, personal obligations, and self-care (the good selfishness!). That leaves most of us with financial resources as a means of giving.
To maximize happiness from spend-related giving and to provide the most worth to you and the receiver, whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague, or organization, make sure what you’re giving involves a sense of purpose, and that it aligns with shared values. For instance, do both you and your recipient appreciate it when things are done with care and attention to detail? Is it important to you both that the products you use are made from sustainable, eco-friendly, or ethically sourced materials? Considering a common bond and giving in alignment with that abstract connection can lead to a gift idea that not’s only tangible, but tasteful and meaningful, too.
Inspired to do some giving? You can find the perfect luxury menswear gift for any guy in your life at SAINT CROIX. Explore ways to give with our Holiday Gift Guide, and rest assured whatever wearable presents you find will never go out of style.
