Strengthens Relationships

• Generosity helps establish strong relationships in which both parties experience an increase in affection and loyalty. Marriages in which partners give small but thoughtful gifts such as massages or cooking a favorite meal tend to be stronger than partnerships that lack the element of giving. Not only does generosity elicit the gratitude of the recipient, it also increases the affection and connection that the giver feels toward the recipient.
  
  

Enhances Self-Esteem

• Giving makes the giver feel good about himself. People who give experience what many psychologists call the "warm glow" of giving, marked by an increased sense of self-worth and integrity. Giving produces positive mental feedback that promotes more giving. Robert Cialdini, psychologist at Arizona State University, described these feelings as the "helper's high," likening it to the runner's high -- a physiological response mechanism which releases pleasure-inducing endorphins during long runs. Each of these mechanisms creates a positive feedback system that encourages individuals to continue the behavior that elicits the positive psychological or physiological response.
  
  

Promotes Reciprocity

• Generous people are more successful in the business world than their miserly counterparts. Indeed, gift-giving is an integral aspect of many business relationships globally. Generous people usually have extensive social networks that can help them advance in their entrepreneurial or professional pursuits. Generous individuals are also highly valued by others in their social, business and community associations.
  
  

Helps You Live Longer

• Reporting on a longitudinal UCLA study, journalist Marylin Elias of "USA Today" noted that senior citizens who volunteered their time at local organizations lived longer than those who don't. There's also evidence suggesting that one reason women outlive men is because they engage in more social giving throughout their lifetime. Positive social interactions reduce stress hormones and even help regulate blood pressure. It looks as though giving generously of your time, resources, expertise and knowledge can improve your health and extend your lifespan.