Doing Good is Good for Us

From: Stephen G. Post, Ph.D.
Re:     Updated Scientific Review on the Benefits of Giving
Date: January 1, 2008

Over the last eight years, I have been focusing on the new scientific literature that shows the health benefits of generous emotions coupled with giving activities.  The caveat, of course, is not to be overwhelmed, for just as there can be too little there can also be too much.   With the success of the book "Why Good Things Happen to Good People: The Exciting New Research That Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life" ( Jill Neimark, and with a Foreword by Pastor Otis Moss, Jr.)  www.whygoodthingshappen.com to link with Amazon or Barnes & Noble.   

                 Good to be Good:  Health and the Generous Heart

                                              Stephen G. Post, Ph. D.

 The convergence of evidence is striking in support of the hypothesis that benevolent emotions, attitudes and actions centered on the good of others are contributory to happiness, health, and even longevity in the agent of such giving. Benevolence is chiefly about the well-being of recipients, but that said, it can be added that it nourishes the giver. 

Because no research methodology is perfect, researchers in the social sciences and health outcomes look for a convergence of results across a variety of methods before reaching a conclusion as to the truth of any hypothesis. The evidence that “doing unto others” is good for the giver has reached a high threshold with regard to everyday kindness and good deeds that bestow upon the giver a feeling of meaning, buoyancy, and warmth. 

"Do unto others as you want them to do unto you" Jesus

Gary Sweeten Go to our web page bookstore to discover ways to help without hurting.