Feel good and help others, too
As humans, we are hardwired to help others. It feels good, and these good vibes have a name — the “helper high” or “generosity glow”. Maybe you’ve felt it? It’s the satisfaction you get when you willingly help a mate or stranger. That sense of fulfilment from volunteering, or donating to a charity.
The act of giving releases a rush of neurochemicals and activates the pleasure pathways in the brain. Specifically, euphoria-inducing endorphins, oxytocin (stimulating compassion and bonding), dopamine (promoting the feel-good factor) and serotonin (a happiness hormone). These hormones produce greater states of joy and increased feelings of belonging.
But giving doesn’t only feel good, it’s good for you. Being generous improves your health. When you’re happy, your blood pressure drops and your heart rate stabilises. You are less likely to feel stressed. Self-esteem is boosted, and anxiety and depression are reduced.
There's a ripple effect, too. When the spirit of giving is alive in our relationships, businesses and communities, we all benefit. It breaks down barriers, elicits a deeper understanding of other people’s needs, and promotes greater social connection, and cohesion.
The roots of modern philanthropy date back to around the 5th century. Derived from ancient Greek, the word philanthropy literally means “love of humankind”. Philanthropy involves all forms of generosity, including giving the gift of your time, skills or money.
“Philanthropy calls us to look outward to others and to our collective future rather than inwards to our individualistic and present self,” Jack Heath, chief executive of Philanthropy Australia, said.
Former Fremantle Dockers player, and founder of the Fremantle Foundation, Dylan Smith is the newly minted WA State manager for Philanthropy Australia.
“When I was 23 I was cut from the Dockers,” says Dylan.
“I'd never really thought about doing anything else. So, I had to look beyond football for the first time. I thought I could be a doctor. They are important. But I couldn’t take six long years of uni.”
Compelled to help others, Dylan then found himself immersed in the world of community-based charitable giving. He began connecting people together — friends, community members, business owners, and charities — to create the Fremantle Foundation: “When you play football, or any team sport, you just want to make a contribution. I think philanthropy is similar.
“I love philanthropy because there are so many benefits. It really is win-win-win,” he says. “Giving is important to our society and culture.
“It both celebrates and challenges who we are. Support for the arts makes our festivals, galleries, and community projects possible. And by supporting important social justice programs and advocacy, philanthropic dollars can help address big, societal issues like disadvantage and inequality.”
For people and families on a middle income, collective giving groups such as Impact100 WA, Impact100 Fremantle, and 100Women are a great place to start. Being involved in these kinds of initiatives is really fun, inspirational and supportive. You meet new people and learn about key social issues, and the organisations doing something about them.
If you’re looking to make a bigger contribution, with some expert advice, there are several ways you can structure and formalise giving. Whatever form your giving takes, the key thing is to make it a habit. You can set aside a percentage of your income, or the cost of a coffee a week. The cumulative effect of small, regular donations makes a real difference.
Generosity is more than a happiness hack, it’s a state-changer. Kindness is cool. Let’s band together to create a culture of generosity in Western Australia — for the love of humankind.
This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 6 November 2021.