For the last 28 years, DailyGood has been delivering hand-selected stories that spark creativity and kindness. Join our community of 140,844 subscribers and get inspired!
Jul 7, 2010
"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver."
—Maya Angelou
Ever notice a feeling of warm satisfaction from giving someone a gift? Or a sense of joy from treating someone else to a meal? This link between good vibes and good deeds may be more than coincidence, say researchers at the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School. In a recent study, participants were given $10 and asked to decide how much of it to share with someone else. Those who gave more money away reported higher levels of happiness- both in hormone levels and questionnaire results. "The moral of the story is that the economic decisions we make can have downstream health consequences," concludes study co-author Lara Aknin. Maybe money can buy happiness after all, if it's given away...
Next time you need a pick-me-up, give someone a gift. It may just brighten both your days! Learn more