It’s easy to get overwhelmed during the holidays. There is so much stress with possible traveling, buying gifts, having family in town, etc. While you may look forward to holiday movies or a glut of yummy treats to deal with extra holiday stress, another way to deal with it is to do something that improves life. someone else’s. A big part of the holidays is about giving back and sharing your wealth and happiness with the world, so making someone’s holiday season better can make your holidays richer and more joyful.
We see service as an act of helping others, but it is also an act of helping yourself. Helping others succeed is built into the fabric of what it means to be human. It helps improve your mood, self-confidence and willpower and can even give you more energy throughout the day. This holiday season, make sure you take the time to make someone’s day better and see how much it benefits you too!
Here are 3 favorite benefits of service during the holidays:
Improves your mood – Any form of service will improve your mood and change brain chemistry in a positive way. When you help someone or give a gift, feel good chemicals are released in your brain, such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. These regulate your mood, give you pleasure and create a sense of connection with others. We are built to help others, and every act of service will make you feel better about yourself and your own abilities, and make someone else feel good too. It’s a win-win situation.
Deepens your metaphysical connection – We are all connected in some way and when you do something good for someone else it can remind you of this connection. Some believe in good karma and by helping other people you put good karma into the universe in the hope that good things will come back to you. Help can come from the most magical and unexpected places if you are open to it. Serving others is a great reminder to be humble and that success never comes from doing everything yourself.
Increases your capacity for gratitude – An attitude of gratitude can do wonders for your mental health. Accepting and recognizing gratitude leads you to notice that your life is good and that you have a life worth living. Helping others is a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. It’s all too easy to lose perspective in life, but gratitude will help you gain a clear and positive perspective about what you and others are capable of. It’s so easy to get lost in your own world and only worry about things that affect you or your family, but when you notice someone else is struggling and wonder what you can do to change their situation , you become more aware of your effect on the world.
How to give on a budget
Not every act of kindness has to be monetary. When charities or foundations are mentioned, it is often associated with donations, but not all kindness has to be monetary. Donating your time instead of your money can bring more personal interaction and more reward for both parties involved. For example, if you notice that your neighbor is overworked or seems tired and offers to watch their kids so they can have a few hours to themselves, this is a great way to show that the people around you care and care. to notice them. Here are a few examples of how you can support others and your community this holiday season…
- Read to children – your own or at the local library!
- Toys for Toddlers – Have your kids pick out toys to donate
- Help a classmate – check if anyone in your child’s class is struggling financially and support them anonymously
- Sponsor a Family – Buy some gifts for a family that may not be able to afford them this season
- Make and deliver emergency kits to the homeless to help them through the cold months
- Be a hospice volunteer
- Visit members of the local hospital and spread holiday cheer
- Visit nursing homes and senior centers – not everyone has family to celebrate the holidays with, but many seniors love having someone come visit
- Meals on Wheels – pack meals and help eliminate isolation for the elderly
- Animal shelters – say hello to animals who don’t have families to celebrate the holidays with
Help yourself by helping others. The holidays are just around the corner and by helping those around you, you help yourself. Practicing gratitude and performing regular acts of service have been shown to lower our blood pressure, make us less stressed, and have a longer lifespan. Take time to de-stress from your busy holiday schedule and enhance you and someone else’s holiday by performing acts of service.
References
30 Christmas Volunteer Opportunities and Ideas (signupgenius.com)
20 places to volunteer on Christmas Eve 2022 that really need your help (romper.com)
14 Ideas for Christmas Volunteer Opportunities at Work (monster.com)
Why Giving is Good for Your Health – Cleveland Clinic
What is gratitude and why is it so important? (positivepsychology.com)