It's hard to escape the different charities that bombard our lives on a day-to-day basis, whether they're giving out leaflets as we head to work or adverts on the tele, but when we donate our money are we doing it for ourselves or them?
Do you donate money to make yourself feel better?
A new study has revealed that people who donate money feel positive for the average time of a week, but those who donate their time to charity feel the effects for 24 days.
The research is released as Guide Dogs calls for people to get glowing during Guide Dogs Week (4-12 October). The charity wants people all over the UK to join in Let's Glow Dress-in-Neon Day tomorrow (Friday 10 October) or donate an hour of their time.
But should feeling good be an incentive to help charities?
Being truly selfless is extremely hard when helping others provides us with our own rush of happiness, so it's time we accept that helping charities will make us feel good.
The study involved a psychological test to rate people's general happiness among those that do and do not give to charity. The results revealed that people who donated to charity in the last 12 months were 12% happier with their lives and were more likely to have inner calm too.
Dr Glenn Wilson, the consultant psychologist who devised the happiness testing, says: "Money offers no guarantee of increasing happiness but giving it away certainly does. This research confirms that an even better route to happiness is giving one's time to a charitable cause. This provides an improved sense of purpose and self-worth that has been described as a warm glow."
With so many charities out there and all of them in need of your support, it's important to take the time to find out which one you want to give your money or time too. Don't feel pressured too, and accept that it will make you feel good about yourself.
For people who are interested in experiencing the 'giving glow', Guide Dogs has a list of Let's Glow activities, including Dress-in-Neon Day and Donate An Hour, on its website so fundraisers and time-givers can stand out for blind and partially sighted people across the UK. www.guidedogs.org.uk/get-involved/lets-glow-for-guide-dogs
Tagged in Charity