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来源|Save the Children
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捐赠的季节又一次如约而至！给予总会给人带来一种美妙的感觉，当你所爱之人打开你为他们挑选的每一件“礼物”时，当你看到他们脸上洋溢的笑容时，这就定格成为幸福的时刻。
然而，慈善捐赠并不只带来这一个益处。科学研究表明，捐赠人在帮助人们的同时，还可以通过多种方式获得额外的、甚至是惊人的健康福利。
健康福利一：慈善捐赠可以提高自尊感并且实现自我价值
捐赠行为是一种无私之举。向慈善机构捐款的主要积极影响之一就是捐赠人会在捐赠过程中感受到快乐。当你帮助那些有需要的人时，你自己也会收获更大的满足感，并且因此成长，同时你也能够从中体会到乐趣。
你也可以代表你的家人把钱捐给需要帮助的慈善机构，或者赠送一件具有象征意义的“礼物”。这会让你产生自我价值感，因为你知道你在为那些需要帮助的人提供急需的资源。额外的好处就是，你和你所爱的人都会在回馈中感到快乐。
健康福利二：从心理学的角度看--慷慨会提高积极的情绪、降低抑郁风险
有了积极的自尊心态和自我价值感之后，你便更能体会到真正的乐观情绪和积极的人生观，这是捐赠所带来的健康福利。
研究表明，向慈善机构捐赠已被证明对大脑有积极的影响，这就类似于一些可以让人们感受到快乐和幸福的活动，比如吃饭、锻炼，或者深情的拥抱等等。这些别样的化学反应可以持续改善人们的心理健康和幸福的模式。
如果下一次你在经历糟糕的一天，需要一些令人振奋的事情来做的时候，你便可以通过这一点来进行调整。
健康福利三：捐赠可以作为一种心理疗法，使预期寿命延长
假期在给我们带来欢乐的同时，也会带来巨大的压力。压力、抑郁和焦虑等症状必然会导致许多健康问题：头痛、失眠和高血压(30%的美国人受高血压影响)。
捐赠对你有好处的原因之一是它可以作为一种减轻你日常生活压力的方式。通过慈善捐赠这个简单的行为，你不仅帮助了整个世界，还可以享受更轻松的假期氛围。
此外，研究数据显示，无私的捐赠行为代表一种利他的性格特征，这种性格通常与较长的寿命有着密切的关系。
健康福利四：改善社会面貌
我们都在努力让世界变得更加美好。假期是一个很好的时段，我们可以珍视我们所爱之人和所奉献之事。
一个人所产生的慈善捐赠力量有些时候是连他们自己也无法想象的，它可以帮助人类实现更大的利益，对更多的人产生积极的影响。
在世界上许多地方，很多人并不如我们一般幸运。慈善组织通过改善我们周围人的整体生活质量，协助人们建立一个更和谐、更健康的世界。
健康福利五：创造积极的变革
奉献即有收获，对别人慷慨的同时也会将这份慷慨感染给他人，这些都是捐赠所带来的良性循环。所以，下次当你想要调整自己的时候，请记住，参与慈善活动对你的健康有积极的益处，你可以为全世界带来积极的改变。
为什么不现在就开始呢？加入慈善事业，我们相信，世界上的每一个人都应该有一个光明的未来。
（点击文末“阅读原文”查看英文原文）
原题：The Health Benefits Of Donating Your Time And Money
来源：Save the Children
日期：7月11日
The season of giving is upon us once again and it’s time to jump back into the hustle and bustle of the holidays. The gift of giving is a wonderful feeling. It’s a happy moment seeing the smile on your loved one’s face as they open each gift you’ve picked out just for them.
However ,this isn’t the only reason it’s good to give to charity. Studies show that giving has added health benefits for the giver. Moreover, there are a variety of ways that those who give charitable donations can reap added (and surprising) health benefits while helping those in need.
Check out these reasons that demonstrate how giving is good for you!
Improved Self-Esteem & Self-Worth Are Health Benefits of Charitable Giving
Donating is a selfless act. One of the major positive effects of donating money to charity is simply feeling good about giving. Being able to give back to those in need helps you achieve a greater sense of personal satisfaction and growth, it feels good to help others. Instead of putting money toward a gift someone may look at once and never use again, you can donate that money to a charity in need on your loved one’s behalf or send a symbolic gift (check out Save the Children’s gift catalog for ideas). This leads to a feeling of self-worth knowing that you’re offering much-needed resources to a great cause for those in need. As an added benefit, you and your loved one will both feel good about giving back to others.
Positive Moods and Low Depression Rates Due to The Psychology of Generosity
With positive self-esteem and self-worth comes a genuinely more optimistic mood and outlook on life as even more health benefits of giving. Studies show that donating money to charity has been proven to have a positive impact on the brain. These effects are similar to activities people usually associate with joy and happiness such as eating, exercising, or affectionate gestures like giving someone a hug. Different chemical reactions can lead to an ongoing pattern of improved mental health and well-being. Keep this in mind the next time you’re having a bad day and need something uplifting to draw from. There are many advantages of helping others, as donating can help better somebody else’s life and lead to a healthier you.
Longer Life Expectancy Is a Result of The Psychology of Giving to Therapy
As much joy as the holiday season brings, it also brings with it a great deal of stress. It’s no surprise that stress, depression, and anxiety can lead to a number health issues, headaches, insomnia, and high blood pressure (which affects 30% of all Americans).
One of the reasons why giving is good for you is that it acts as a way to de-stress your everyday life. With the simple act of charitable giving, not only are you assisting the world as a whole, but you receive the added benefit of a more relaxed holiday season.
As an added bonus, some studies show that the gift of giving and unselfishness is an altruistic personality trait that is closely aligned with people who live longer.
Improving the World Community
We’re all trying to make the world a better place. The holidays are a time where we can appreciate the people and causes we hold dear. One person’s charitable giving can help the greater good of humanity, positively impacting more people than a giver may ever comprehend their donation could reach.
In many parts of the world, others are not so fortunate. Charitable communities help foster a happier and healthier world by improving the quality of life for those around us as a whole.
Make a Difference
The gift of giving always comes full circle. Giving is receiving and generosity is contagious. So, the next time you’re thinking about treating yourself, instead remember the positive benefits on your health that donating to charity can bring about, as well as the positive change you can help bring about around the world.
Why not start now? Get involved and join the cause. We believe everyone around the world deserves a bright future.
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善财志（Family Legacy Review）由国际公益学院主办，是国内首个聚焦家族慈善和可持续商业的知识平台。通过分享国内外慈善家族的传承经验和经典案例，为中国家族治理、财富传承、慈善创新提供最新的知识与路径。
本文源自 善财志
统筹薛炜、王阳 责编张弛
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