There is a powerful message to the human psyche when you give. The “Giver’s Glow” is a measurable sensation in the brain that reduces stress and lessons the symptoms of depression. According to multiple studies when you give of yourself, either through donations or volunteerism, the brain produces multiple happiness chemicals like dopamine, associated with euphoria, and oxytocin, relating to tranquility and inner peace. One study, published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2013, reported that “giving time and assistance to others reduced the mortality risk tied to stress, a known risk factor for many chronic diseases.”
The holiday season and the last quarter of the year and the last year of the decade are also high times of stress. Even with families with great relationships, there is always some form of stress attached to it. Just going to the grocery store where lines are long and peoples patience are short, in addition to the rising cost of food items can add stress to life. Depression is known to be highest at this time of year also when we are generally in a time of reflection. Perhaps we are reflecting about someone close who passed away, or fond memories of childhood days without the burden of responsibility or personal difficulties like; a lack of employment, a habit that has turned into an addiction or realizations of another year passing without accomplishing your secret desires.
It’s important to identify to whom you are giving that helps you feel better about your donations. Any giving you do is good, but look for organizations that are certifiable non-profits like a 501(c)(3) where your donations are tax deductible and with organizations that make you feel good and make a difference in the world. At the International Sound Therapy Association, (ISTA) we are blending science and ancient wisdom to research and implement healing techniques using sound to help anything from Alzheimer’s disease to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sound and sound therapy is rapidly becoming the medicine of the future as evidence of books such as “The Healing Power of Sound” by Dr Mitchell Gaynor, former Director of Medical Oncology and Integrative Medicine at Cornell Cancer Prevention Center in New York. With a donation to ISTA you would be supporting a small 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, promote and facilitate the healing power of sound around the world. All donations go directly to the research and implementation of healing sound programs as this is an all volunteer organization founded in 2005. With your contributions, you a part of ground breaking technology and methods of healing that one day will be common knowledge.
Taking early action can help chase away the holiday blues. Consider your end of the year donations and give to those causes that mean something to you or something that makes you feel like you are helping someone. Don’t let the holidays get the best of you. Give and you will be doing something good for someone el
se and helping yourself at the same time.
