Sharing – Giving gifts boosts happiness if we avoid the holiday stress. Here’s how
Social science has shown us this truth many times in recent years.
“”If you take $5 out of your pocket today, the science really does show that spending $5 on yourself doesn’t do much for you,” Norton says. “But spending that $5 on somebody else is more likely to increase your happiness.” “
And yet, the holidays are particularly stressful because of the constant reminder to “get your holiday shopping done.”
How about just saying no to that pressure and making gift-giving about why we give gifts in the first place, to show someone that we care about them and value having them in our life?
That seems less stressful and isn’t limited to the end of December. I bet people would value a gift giving any time of year, and I bet giving it will give you a happiness boost, too.
Also, it doesn’t have to be something that costs a great deal or any money at all. Spending time helping someone is just as valuable as spending money on a gift for them. It also shows that you value them enough to make time.
