12/05/2015
Be Generous
Do for Others
Be Happier
This is an article from Sara Childre at HeartMath.org
That explains the scientific benefits of kindness and generosity in addition to the all powerful experience of gratitude. As a Heart Math Practitioner.. this included in what I teach.
"Will acts of kindness and generosity make us happier? Do heart-directed altruistic acts depend on the sincere intention behind them? When we act on behalf of other people, research shows we feel better and experience less stress.
Dr. J. Andrew Armour, a leading neurocardiologist on HeartMath Institute’s Scientific Advisory Board, has found the heart contains cells that synthesize and release hormones such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and dopamine, among others. It was discovered that the heart also secretes oxytocin, commonly referred to as the “love” or “bonding” hormone. Remarkably, concentrations of oxytocin produced in the heart may be as high as those produced by the brain. When you are altruistic – lending a helping hand – your oxytocin level goes up, which helps relieve your stress. Altruistic behavior also may trigger the brain’s reward circuitry – the feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins. However, the hormonal benefits of the good deed depend on the genuine intent of the act of altruism.
Happiness
Researchers Elizabeth W. Dunn, Lara B. Aknin and Michael I. Norton conducted an experiment in which they handed out envelopes to people. Each contained a five-dollar bill and a note. Some people were instructed to spend the money before 5 p.m. on a personal gift or for their regular expenses. Others were asked to spend it on a gift for someone else or donate it to charity."
“Although much research has examined the effect of income on happiness, we suggest that how people spend their money may be at least as important as how much money they earn,” the authors wrote in an article abstract in Science magazine in 2008.
“Specifically, we hypothesized that spending money on other people may have a more positive impact on happiness than spending money on oneself. … Participants who were randomly assigned to spend money on others experienced greater happiness than those assigned to spend money on themselves.”
Double hearts ~ Read about two more similar research results.
The Gallup World Poll found similar results: people who donated to charity in the past month reported greater satisfaction with life. In another, people who volunteer are more often healthier, happier and live longer than those who don’t.
Do you know the personal benefits of helping others? The HeartMath Institute for many years has helped people learn to cultivate altruism through practice of its heart-focused techniques. These techniques help them to align themselves more fully with their core values and to activate greater care and compassion in their daily lives.
HeartMath’s own research has shown participants in experiments who practice these techniques have experienced beneficial changes in hormones that affect their health, happiness and longevity. Much like with its research on the benefits that come from positive emotions such as appreciation, compassion, care and kindness among others, HeartMath has found the following to be among the benefits of generosity and altruism:
• Lower stress.
• Improved emotional, physical mental
and spiritual health.
• Increased self-esteem and confidence.
• Improved relationships.
~ Sara Childre
The HeartMath Institute is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization and is a DBA of the Institute of HeartMath. The Global Coherence Initiative is also a DBA of the Institute of HeartMath.
