This time last year, I wrote a blog entitled, “The Season of Gift-Giving”. This year, I’m going to elaborate on this concept of gift-giving. We are back in the season of gift-giving. I relished in the feelings of giving this weekend. I felt joy, happiness and energy after giving gifts to others. It was a cool feeling. The psychologist in me wanted to know more about this phenomenon.

There’s a theory known as the “Helpers High”. It is the experience one has when they give to others. This helpers high is what I felt this weekend. It was temporary and felt so good! So what’s really going on in the brain of a helper? Similar to a runner’s high and/or a high from drugs and alcohol, the brain releases endorphins in the process of gifting others. Gift-giving fulfills so many social needs all at once: connection, pleasure and trust. This altruistic behavior gives off a warm glow known as the helpers high.

Any high is finite. It doesn’t last forever. AND so are any and all emotions. Happiness, sadness, boredom, etc. are all finite and do not last forever. So we might as well spend our time experiencing positive finite emotions. Give yourself the gift of the helpers high this season by giving gifts to others!

Start today! Who can you gift today? What can you gift them? Try it out, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Holidays!