Being generous will help you live a happier life

The ego can get in the way of many life aspects, even happiness. And when it comes to people who lead happier lives, a recent study finds that those who are generous are most content.

Researchers at Zurich University say that the brain basks in what behavioral economists describe as a “warm glow” when participating in an act of kindness towards others. The authors sought to find out exactly what causes this pleasant sensation.

The research team recruited 50 healthy adults (39 women, 11 men) for the study. Participants were promised money, for which they’d receive over the course of a two-week period and they were required to spend the cash. Half of the participants were tasked with spending the money on someone other than themselves, while the other half committed to spending the money solely on themselves…

After the experiment, participants were asked about their state of happiness. The researchers found that those who acted more generously reported feeling happier, compared to those who acted selfishly. Interestingly, spending more money on other people didn’t necessarily make an individual any happier than someone who spent less.