60+Club

  • Join+Us
  • About
  • Books
    • Adult Colouring Books
    • eBooks for Over 60s
    • Book Shop
    • Shopping Cart
  • Insights
    • Govt links for older Aussies
    • Seniors Cards • Eligibility & Benefits
    • Volunteering
    • Be Social
    • Quotes
    • Share your advice
    • Crossword Puzzles
    • Chess vs Computer
    • Newsletter subscribe
    • Newsletter archives
  • Blogs
  • Classifieds♡
    • Personal Connections Classifieds
    • Man Seeking Woman
    • Woman Seeking Man
    • Friendship
    • Same Sex
    • Submit your Ad here
  • Contact
    • Advertise with us
    • FAQ’s
    • Shopping Cart

Generosity improves social connection and relationships

Posted on July 15, 2019 by 60+Club

Improving social connection and relationships through generosity

Year after year, more studies are highlighting the benefits of generosity on both our physical and mental health. Not only does generosity reduce stress, support physical health, enhance sense of purpose, and naturally fight depression, it is also shown to increase one’s lifespan.

If a longer, less stressful and more meaningful life is not enough to inspire your practice of generosity, consider that generosity also promotes a social connection and improves relationships. According to Jason Marsh and Jill Suttie of the Greater Good Science Center, “When we give to others, we not only make them feel closer to us, we also feel closer to them.” This is because being generous and kind encourages us to perceive others in a more positive light and fosters a sense of community, a feeling of interconnectedness.

Being generous also makes us feel better about ourselves. Generosity is both a natural confidence builder and a natural repellent of self-hatred. By focusing on what we are giving rather than on what we are receiving, we create a more outward orientation toward the world, which shifts our focus away from ourselves. While maintaining a healthy level of self-awareness and sensitivity to oneself is important, too often we narrow in on ourselves with a negative lens.

There is still not a strong case on how much people should spend on others to enjoy long-lasting health benefits. Indeed, research suggests that the positive benefits of new circumstances can disappear quickly. Thus, to sustain the health benefits of financial generosity, it might be necessary to engage in novel acts of generosity other than financially, while prioritising people that you are closest to.

 

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

 

To recap, studies have found strong links between Generosity and the below benefits:

  • Reduces stress
  • Supports physical health
  • Enhances sense of purpose
  • Naturally fights depression
  • Increases one’s lifespan
  • Promotes a social connection and improves relationships
  • Fosters a sense of community
  • Perceive others in a more positive light
  • Feeling of interconnectedness
  • Makes us feel better about ourselves
  • Natural repellent of self-hatred

 

Note: Being generous doesn’t mean giving money away. It’s important to remember financial generosity is only beneficial when it does not lead to overwhelming personal costs. You can engage in novel acts of generosity other than financially with similar health benefits.

 

Source:
– Louise F. Pendry L, Salvatore J. Individual and social benefits of online discussion forums. Computers in Human Behavior Volume 50, September 2015, Pages 211–220. Read more.
– Tajfel, J.C.Turner. An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations, 74 (1979), pp. 33–47N.
– Ellemers, R.Spears, B.Doosje. Self and social identity. Annual Review of Psychology, 53(1) (2002), pp. 161–186J.
– Dimmick, S.Kline, L.Stafford. The gratification niches of personal email and the telephone: Competition, displacement and complementarity. Communication Research, 27 (2) (2000), pp. 227–248
– S.A.Haslam, S.Reicher. Stressing the group: Social identity and the unfolding dynamics of responses to stress. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91 (5) (2006), p. 1037. Read more

Discover more studies linking generosity to good health and longevity

Part three of volume three “The Why’s of Goodness” looks at the health benefits stemmed from being generous. This is supported by many studies and test cases, and is not just linked to financial generosity but from volunteering and reaching out to people that need it most. Read more on Volume 3.

Get your copy of Volume 3 today… Only $3.99!

 

Subscribe to our newsletter

Online form provided by Vision6

 


 

Posted in Happiness, Health
Why volunteering positively contributes to happiness
Cuts to deeming rate gives one quarter of Australia’s pensioners an extra $804

Related Posts

  • Photo credit: Depositphotos.com

    14 health benefits of exercising for the over 60s

    14 health benefits of exercising for the over 60s 🚴🏊🧘 Exercise is important for odler
    Read more
  • Photo credit: Depositphotos.com

    Navigating social connections in your prime • 5 tips for those over 60

    Navigating Social Connections in Your Prime: Five Tips for Those Over 60 😊 Whether you’re
    Read more
  • Photo credit: Depositphotos.com

    Feng Shui tips for a happy home

    Feng Shui tips for a happy home ☯🥰 Feng Shui is an ancient Eastern art
    Read more
  • Photo credit: Depositphotos.com

    Overcoming mental barriers of dating & meeting new people after 60

    Overcoming Mental Barriers: Dating + Meeting New People After Sixty 🥰💕 Older adults are embracing
    Read more

Recent Posts

  • Handy tips for preserving your phone battery life
  • Navigating the Downsizer Super Scheme • Pitfalls to steer clear of when selling your family home
  • Where are the best rates in November for Savings Accounts & Term Deposits
  • Navigating the Assets Test for the Age Pension
  • Four simple ways to connect with your grandchildren

Categories

  • Aged care
  • Bone health
  • Colouring books
  • Exercise
  • Happiness
  • Health
  • Learnings
  • Lifestyle
  • Loneliness
  • Memory
  • Money & Financials
  • Music
  • News
  • Pets
  • Pictures
  • Property
  • Smiling
  • Social
  • Stress
  • Super/SMSF
  • Technology
  • Vitamins

Subscribe to our newsletter

Online form provided by Vision6

Quick links to our popular pages •

WEBSITE

Home
About 60+Club
Blogs
Be Social
Personal Ads
Helpful links
Free eNewsletter subscribe
Advertise with us
Contact Us

eBOOKS

Volume 1
Laughter, smiles & being positive


Volume 2
Looking after your health & wellbeing after 60



WE GUARANTEE EVERY TRANSACTION IS 100% SECURE



Volume 3
The Why's of Goodness


Volume 4
Relax your mind & boost your memory






60+Club © 2023 | Site by Piccolo Digital
Privacy Policy
  Subscribe to 60+Club  
  Enjoy the latest insights, social updates & articles for the Over+60s  
  Direct to your 
inbox, FREE!  
FREE SUBSCRIBE

No Thanks
close-link
Subscribe to our free newsletter
Articles & Insights for the Over+60s
Covering a range of topics that us Over 60s like to discuss!
FREE SUBSCRIBE
close-link