People say that when you do good, good will come back to you. That saying is proven to be true. Whenever we perform an act of kindness, such as donating to a charity or helping a friend in need, the brain releases three chemicals that react to positivity:
- Serotonin – boosts the mood and encourages the body to remain calm and promotes happiness.
- Dopamine – delivers motivation, pleasure and satisfaction when responding to areas inside the brain e.g. The same kind of feeling Popeye the Sailor gets whenever he eats spinach.
- Oxytocin – increases positive emotion whenever we build connections with another person.
According to the CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) donating to charity is a major factor in boosting a person’s mood. “The knowledge that you’re helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled.”
Sometimes donating to charity can be the perfect way to avoid mental health stress or depression, as helping someone else’s wellbeing can have a positive impact on your own wellbeing as well. Action Mental Health quote “Studies have shown that giving is beneficial for combating stress, depression and anxiety and also serves to keep you mentally stimulated, improve your self-confidence and provide you with a sense of purpose.”
In raising funds and awareness for Wirral Mencap, you could boost your own mood and know that you are helping others. Your support helps us go the extra mile in supporting local adults with learning disabilities.
More information about the work that Wirral Mencap does, and any upcoming fundraising events can be found on our website and our social media.
This blog was written by Liam who volunteers at Wirral Mencap. Liam volunteers to write, film and carry out research for our fundraising team. In his spare time, he enjoys making projects such as comic books, songs, or scripts. He volunteers at Wirral Mencap to improve his skills and gain more work experience.