Science Of Gifting

Did You Know That Gifting Can Have Health Benefits Too? Find out what Psychologists and Neuroscientists have to say about it

Gift-giving feels good internally, and there are extrinsic benefits also.

"There is the whole act — determining what needs to be given and making sure it fits with the person,” says Devin A. Byrd, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences at South University — Savannah. “There is an emotional lift when searching for the gift."

Giving a gift is a universal way to show interest, appreciation, and gratitude, as well as strengthen bonds with others, sources say. There is an enormous sense of satisfaction when seeing the expression on the face of someone you’ve given a gift to.

Better to give than to receive, gift-giving is also an act of altruism — unselfish concern for the well-being of others. When we give without expecting anything in return, we are improving our psychological health.

Studies show that spending money on others feels better than splurging on ourselves. In fact, neuroscientists have found that making a donation makes the brain’s reward circuitry light up more than receiving a gift.

The joy of giving a gift lasts longer than the fleeting pleasure of accepting it.