It is better to give than to receive. We have heard that statement time and again. Research shows that generous acts trigger the release of oxytocin and dopamine, creating a chemical change in your body, called a “helper’s high.” Research from Harvard has demonstrated that charitable giving and volunteering provide remarkable health benefits, such as:

• Reduction in blood pressure and stress levels
• Decreased symptoms of depression
• Enhanced self-esteem and life satisfaction
• Increased longevity

Some studies have found that people are happier when spending money on others than on themselves, and this happiness motivates them to be more generous in the future. Even small acts of kindness, like picking up something someone else has dropped, have been shown to make people feel happy.

One landmark study from the University of Oregon showed that even when people make mandatory, tax‑like transfers of money to a charity, parts of their brains associated with reward light up! When people give voluntarily, those same regions are even more active. In simpler terms, when you help someone, your brain releases feel-good chemicals that can feel similar to the natural good feeling you get after exercising or listening to your favorite song.

Related Post: 3 Reasons Why Qualified Charitable Distributions Are a Smart Choice for Giving

You don’t need to volunteer 10 hours a week or donate large sums of money to feel the positive effects of helping. In fact, research from the University of California, Riverside suggests that even brief, simple acts of kindness, like letting someone merge into traffic or picking up groceries for a neighbor, can produce meaningful boosts in well-being.

Over time, these small efforts can build a mindset of empathy and generosity that strengthens both individual and collective resilience. You can start with small, everyday actions, like checking in on a friend, helping a neighbor, volunteering locally, or donating time or resources. The impact doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful.

Want to get started feeling good today? We invite you to explore VOC’s volunteer opportunities and ways to financially support the veterans in our community by visiting our website or contacting Joan Brandenburg, Director of Planned Giving and Community Partnerships at 585.295.7821 or Joan.Brandenburg@vocroc.org.