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Reports Say Holiday Generosity Can Actually Boost Your Health

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVWC chapter.

Thinking about how to give back this holiday season? Donating and giving to others has long been linked to feelings of increased happiness and fulfillment. It often makes us feel good when we see that we have, to some degree, made an impact on someone else’s life or helped another person in some way. However, recent studies have shown that altruism can also have positive effects on the physical health of volunteers.

A study published in the BMC Public Health journal reports that donating time is connected to a lower level of depression as well as a reduced risk of early death, which is likely attributed to healthier relationships and a decreased stress level. 

In another experiment, Scientific American commented on the effect “stinginess” had on the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. People who withheld more money in the experiment when given the option to donate had higher levels of cortisol than those who opted to give to others. Generosity lowers our stress levels because as we are doing well by others, and positive thoughts and feelings towards ourselves increase as well. 

This holiday season, boost not only the spirits of others, but also your own wellbeing by choosing to donate your time and energy.  

Maty recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC), and she couldn’t be more excited to return to the Her Campus family as a member of the Community Team.  Maty’s passion for writing has guided her through most of her adult life, and it eventually brought her to to the Her Campus Chapter Network as a Style Blogger for Her Campus WVWC. Maty would go on to become Campus Correspondent of her chapter, as well as an intern for Her Campus National and a Chapter Advisor.  Through her different roles at HC, Maty quickly fell in love with the mission and purpose of the Her Campus Chapter Network—and in her new role, Maty has the rare and coveted opportunity to do what she loves on a daily basis by working with a growing network of 360+ college chapters.    When Maty isn’t at the office, she’s usually out exploring, cooking some random recipe she found on Pinterest, or cuddling with her adorable corgi, Winnie.  Follow Maty on Twitter and Instagram !