Its January and there isn’t a spin bike available at the gym or even a parking place for that matter. Everyone is busy beginning their New Year’s resolutions to look great and feel better after the past month of gluttony and before Super Bowl Sunday gets here. Last month, I came across an article that might help you out with that New Year’s resolution about being healthy and taking care of your health…and guess what? It doesn’t involve a gym or a diet!
The article in the Wall Street Journal by Arthur Brooks was about a new study on how giving to charity affects our health and happiness and how others view us. The author is the president of the American Enterprise Institute, which is a non-profit think tank that performs research in the non-profit sector. He cited several studies that showed people who volunteer or donate money report greater satisfaction with their lives than those who do not give. In addition, these same studies even indicated that donors live longer and that giving makes people appear more physically attractive.
Brooks ended his article by saying (jokingly), “So, on behalf of my colleagues in America’s millions of nonprofits, voluntary organizations and houses of worship, I want you to know we’re here for you. We want to help you become healthier, happier, and better looking.” Maybe the gym isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and volunteering should be added to that New Years resolution? It sure couldn’t hurt.
Charity Matters.
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