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8 Healthy Benefits We Receive When We Give

8 Healthy Benefits We Receive When We Give

13 min read JUL 12, 2025

I’m sure you’ve heard the common saying - “it’s better to give than to receive.”

But, is that common saying true?

Giving to others, whether a financial gift, a material item, or volunteering your time/talents, is generally described as something that makes us, the giver(s), feel good.

But, why?

This phenomenon and feeling associated with gift giving is so common that scientists decided long ago to delve into the topic, researching in an attempt to understand exactly what happens when we give to others?

And, their findings are incredible!

Well, I guess you could say their findings simply back up that common saying listed above - it’s better to give than to receive - as there are multiple benefits: physically, mentally, emotionally, and even socially, when we think of others above ourselves, giving to friends, family, and those in need.

And no, this isn’t a holiday themed article.

While we regularly think of gift giving as something done in a particular season, usually the holiday or winter season, this generous and kind act, as well as the benefits associated with it, is applicable any time of year!

Reduced stress, improved heart health, increased trust, greater happiness, and so much more…these are all associated with gift giving.

So, let’s open our minds for the next few moments and see what happens when we open our hearts, and give!

8 Benefits Of Gift Giving

Why do we give to others?

Why do we donate clothing, food, and/or finances to those in need?

Why do we offer our time and talents to help those who need it?

Why do we give gifts to those we love?

Generally, I think it goes without saying that we do these things out of compassion, out of a heart of love for others, and because we care.

Whether we consciously think about it in the moment or not, we give because we want to bring goodness, joy, and/or happiness to others in this world.

When we give, we’re also actively showing gratitude, desiring to do good unto others either because we directly appreciate that particular person (or group of people) or because we’re grateful for what we have in this life, and therefore want to share it with others.

Thinking about these motivations for gift giving kinda makes me scratch my head though, because while we may give to others for all of these compassionate and selfless reasons, at the end of the day, we (the givers) actually benefit greatly from the act of giving.

I guess it’s kind of like smiling, giving compliments, or even giving hugs to those we love - each of these things are generally done as a way to show that we care and are often done with the intention of brightening someone’s day.

But, when we do these things, we actually benefit just as much as the recipient…and the same is true of gift giving.

Take a look…

1- Giving Boosts Happiness

When we give to others, especially when we give to those, we have a close connection with, this prompts an interaction between the parts of your brain associated with social interaction and pleasure.

To go a little bit deeper here - there is indeed a dopamine type of response when we give and receive gifts.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.

So of course, we feel happy when we give or receive a gift.

When giving a gift, however, the brain’s response is far more intricate.

The happiness or pleasure we feel from a surge in dopamine is actually a very brief thing.

But, in the case of gift giving, oxytocin is also released, and this signals trust and connection.

So, for the gift giver, the combined release of dopamine and oxytocin means they’ll experience the reward of happiness for a much longer period of time.

Even better, the entire process of gift giving may produce this happiness-inducing brain interaction - from deciding what to give, to the time we spend shopping or planning, to actually giving the gift, and even witnessing the reaction of the recipient!

2- Giving Reduces Stress

Both volunteering and gift giving is associated with reductions in cortisol levels.

Cortisol is commonly known as the stress hormone, and when cortisol levels are high we can feel anxious and overwhelmed.

But, when we give to others, donate to charity, or volunteer our time to benefit others, cortisol levels are reduced.

So basically, though you’ve set out to give of yourself to help or bless others, you, in turn, receive the gift of less stress.

3- Giving Decreases Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

Similar to the effects of giving regarding stress, this act also serves to reduce anxiety and depression.

Or, to put it in a broad sense, gift-giving and volunteering your time to help others in need serves to improve your overall mental health.

Volunteering, especially, has been linked to feeling more satisfied in life as well as reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety while improving your self-esteem.

4- Gift-Giving Improves Relationships

Giving gifts enhances social connections, even in your brain (as we discussed above).
And, as these connections are enhanced, relationships improve.

In the case of new friendships, giving gifts can help to build upon common interests.
Then, concerning existing relationships, gift giving strengthens these friendships.

Overall, gift giving expresses care and compassion, and those brain benefits we discussed earlier that occur when we give and receive gifts serve to solidify the social connections we have with others.

5- Giving Strengthens Your Immune System

When you reduce stress, you help your immune system.

And, we’ve seen how gift giving serves to lower stress levels (or stress hormone levels).

When you’re happy, you help your immune system.

And, we’ve seen how gift giving serves you by boosting happiness.

Unfortunately, these two benefits can sound tame, even lackluster, but I think this is simply because we’ve become numb to just how important happiness (and reduced stress) is to our overall health and wellbeing.

The reality of the matter is we need to experience happiness through interactions (like gift giving) with others…not simply repeated dopamine surges from technology.
We also need to experience stress relief through human interaction.

In many ways we’ve become more and more isolated as a society, primarily connecting behind screens.

But, we need face to face interaction - not just through meaningless conversation, but through compassionate interaction as well as thoughtful and kind gestures such as giving of our time, talents, and treasures to other people.

When we regularly do this, we realize that life is bigger than us, love really does make the world go ‘round, and our lives are enriched in the process…including our stress levels, happiness, and in turn our immune system.

Then, in this state your body experiences needed balance, allowing it to focus on healing and overall health.

6- Giving To Others Can Lower Your Blood Pressure

I’m sure you’ve heard that a healthy diet and regular exercise can serve your body well by lowering your blood pressure or at least keeping those levels in a healthy range.
This, in turn, improves the health of your cardiovascular system as a whole, reducing your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

But, did you know the effects of gift giving are equally as powerful in this regard?

No matter whether you’re giving material or monetary gifts to friends and family, volunteering your time to help others, or donating to those in need, when you give in these ways, the chemicals (or hormones) released in your brain provide a boost to your heart and other body systems.

And, when it comes to your heart, this primarily causes your blood pressure to lower.

7- Giving Helps You Live Longer

Want to live a long, happy, and healthy life?

Give.

We’ve seen how giving to others increases happiness, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, reduces depression and anxiety, and even improves immune responses, but this action and overall attitude can actually help you live longer as well.

Especially in elderly populations, studies have shown that those who volunteer, or those who regularly give to others, live longer than folks who do not.

Want a little proof in that pudding?

One study found that people who regularly volunteer their time to benefit others had a 44% lower risk of early death.

Then, another study with elderly participants showed that those adults who volunteered for two or more organizations had a 63% lower risk of mortality.

Gift giving doesn’t always have to come with ribbons, bags, bows, and price tags.

Sometimes giving of your time by volunteering is the best gift of all…for you and others.

8- Provides Purpose

I’m sure it’s been easy to notice that many of the benefits we receive when we give to others are connected, and this last reward is no different.

We mentioned earlier that gift giving enhances social connection, and this benefit is somewhat linked to that fact, but, when we give it also provides us with a greater sense of purpose in life.

Giving provides a means through which we can engage with others.
When volunteering, you’re actively engaging with fellow volunteers coming together to serve for a common purpose.

When donating to a cause you believe in, you are connected to those with similar convictions, and you are fulfilling both a personal and collective purpose.

And, when you give a gift to a friend or family member, you are engaging with others, showing compassion, care, concern, kindness, and love.

All of these things point us outward.

As humans, we tend to look inward in a lot of ways, and that’s natural…but when we fix our gaze outward, looking to how we can better the lives of those around us, show kindness to others, and connect, this is when/how we truly find and fulfill our purpose in life.

What Can You Give?

The holiday season is certainly not the only time of year that you can give to others.

So, let’s brainstorm for a few moments, looking at some ways you can give gifts or donate to those in need any time of year.

1- Garden Gifts

I didn’t grow up in a large family, but you wouldn’t know that from the size of the garden my grandpa and my dad put out each summer.

Every year, we’d help pick corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, berries, and more. And, while my grandma would can, freeze, cook, and bake a lot with their bounty, my grandparents would give away just as much.

My favorite part? Seeing the smile on my grandpa’s face as he would deliver basket after basket and bushel after bushel to friends and those in need.

If you have a vegetable, fruit, or flower garden, the bounty from your labors could provide a wonderful opportunity for you to bring a smile to your neighbors or others in need through donations of fresh produce or beautiful bouquets of flowers.

2- Warm Weather Clothing Donations and More

If you’re looking to donate to those in need throughout the summer months, weather appropriate clothing is generally a great need this time of year.

Many think of the cold temperatures throughout the winter months and desire to donate to make sure folks have warm clothing to wear, but this need is just as vital when temperatures soar.

Consider donating shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, sandals, etc. throughout the summer months as many children and adults are in need of these items.

Also think about donating items such as fans, cooling towels, etc.

Then, as each new school year approaches, items such as backpacks, notebooks, school supplies, etc. are generally needed.

Of course, aside from material donations, consider giving the gift of your time.

Throughout the holiday season, shelters and food banks generally have people lining up to help or volunteer. However, these organizations serve people all throughout the year, and thus donating your time is always a need, no matter the season.

3- Park Clean Up

Wanna donate your time in other ways? Consider collaborating with your local chamber of commerce or other town officials, and plan a park cleanup day.

While school is out for the summer, many children enjoy extra park time throughout these months, so why not give the gift of a clean, safe play area for your neighbors, community members, etc.

4- Kind, Cooling Gestures

Around the holidays when delivery drivers are extra busy delivering packages, gifts, etc. I commonly see suggestions for setting up porch snack and drink stands, basically a little way of saying thank you to these folks as they work.

But, a great way to extend this notion is to consider these drivers all throughout the year, especially during those months with warm temperatures.

With this in mind, one way to show kindness through a simple gift for these folks would be to set up a cooler with cold bottled waters and other cool treats (thinking popsicles, etc.).

5- Creative Gifts For Friends

For holidays and birthdays celebrated in the winter months, we commonly like to give cozy items like blankets, books, self-care items, slippers, clothes, etc.

But, do you ever struggle to think of items to give outside of the holiday season?

If so, here’s a few general suggestions:

Pool or beach themed items such as floats, sunglasses, towels, hats, water bottles, etc.
Park passes, pool passes
Garden tools, established plants (thinking of divided bulbs, rhizomes, etc. for flower lovers)
Certificates for tours, wine tastings, painting or pottery classes
Grilling accessories (seasonings, utensils, gift certificates to a local meat or produce store)
Relaxation gifts such as a hammock, pool chairs
Cocktail-making accessories
Picnic basket filled with goodies, or plan an actual picnic as a gift for your partner, kids, or bestie(s)

The idea here is to think outside of the traditional holiday gift-giving box, instead, looking for ways to make gifts given outside of this season just as special through themes and needs specific to the time of year.

6- Coffee Gifts

Coffee mugs (both travel mugs and at home styles) always make nice gifts for any java fans, but I like to switch up the type of mug depending on the time of year.

For instance, in the summer months, when I’m gifting a cup/mug, I like to find those more suited for iced coffee - you know, something fun and bright that both fits the recipient's personality and perhaps allows them to enjoy their favorite coffee concoction poolside.

Or, if the recipient spends a lot of time camping, I like to give coffee items they would enjoy on their adventures, such as an Aeropress, a camping-friendly French press, pour over maker, etc.

Of course, giving the gift of coffee never goes out of season, so pre-ground and whole bean options are always a win.

And, if you know the recipient likes flavored coffee selections, personally I love giving seasonal flavors as gifts to friends and family, you know, something unexpected or a flavor you think they’d love.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.

"Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program."

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.