Last December, we stumbled across an online post put up by the Cleveland Clinic that told us something not so surprising. The article asserted that the act of giving is good for your health.

Getting into the holiday groove, those of us at Centered Therapy Chicago (CTC) thought it would be helpful to think more closely about how all of us can help improve the lives of people around us in Chicago. Especially during the holidays.

Volunteering and charitable donations are great ways to help others, our community, and ourselves. We know some important reasons to consider helping others this holiday season.

Giving to others is a gift to ourselves  

Volunteering and charitable donations are great ways to help others, our community, and ourselves. We know some important reasons to consider helping others this holiday season.  Research shows that:

• When we help others, we increase our feelings of joy, purpose, and engagement while reducing feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
• We feel better because our brain produces elevated levels of Serotonin (which regulates mood), Dopamine (which gives us a sense of pleasure), and Oxytocin (which creates a sense of connection with others).
• When we volunteer or donate to organizations that serve our community, we have an active role in making our community a better place.
• We enhance our social connections and build new relationships with folks who share our values and interests through social interaction.
• Helping others can boost our self-esteem and self-worth. Physically, we reduce our levels of cortisol, a stress hormone associated with anxiety.

If you’re not sure where to give or how best to donate, ask around. Consult with friends, family, even coworkers, about how you can make a difference during the holiday season.