From 16Guidelines

Benefits of Giving

Stephen G Post, Ph.D. has written an article about the benefits of giving. Here is his introduction -

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 Reserach That Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life" (with journalist co-author Jill Neimark, and with a Foreword by Pastor Otis Moss, Jr.) )

Go to http://www.whygoodthingshappen.com to link with Amazon or Barnes & Noble if you haven't already done so, I have been asked by a number of readers to provide a background summary of existing research, and with references listed in full.

Below, please find a functional historical review of major scientific studies on positive emotions like compassionate love, coupled with altruism, in relation to the happiness, health, and longevity of the giver. This will be especially useful for the researchers who have emailed me from around the world. This review can be cited as published on the Works of Love E-Newsletter, January 1, 2008. If any reader finds that I have missed an important item, please let me know.

You can read the entire article here Benefits of Giving