The majority of New Year's resolutions revolve around personal goals and face an approximately 80 percent failure rate.
Studies indicate that acts of selfless giving can boost happiness, enhance your health, and potentially lengthen your life.
Deciding to help others can make it easier to stick to your resolution this year.
Every New Year's Eve, we make resolutions to improve the upcoming year by promising ourselves to eat healthier, exercise more, save money, and make new friends. However, by February, we often forget these resolutions, only to remember them on December 31.
Patterns in New Year's Resolutions:
Looking back at New Year's resolutions over the years, a clear pattern emerges. Most common resolutions are inwardly directed, focusing on improving our health, body image, and perceived inadequacies. While self-improvement is commendable, it appears that our resolutions lack a crucial element.
Changing Strategies:
To truly make the next year better, perhaps our resolutions should shift from self-focus to enhancing the lives of others. Research indicates that helping others not only benefits them but also contributes to our own health, happiness, and well-being.
The Science of Selflessness:
Numerous studies show that altruism, or giving to others, brings happiness. For instance, a study in Nature Communications found that those who spent money on others reported greater happiness than those who spent it on themselves. The positive effects were consistent, regardless of the amount donated.
Benefits of Generosity:
Beyond happiness, generosity has been linked to reduced depression, improved emotional regulation, and better stress navigation. Studies even suggest that selfless volunteering can positively impact physical well-being, potentially lowering the risk of hypertension and improving overall health.
The Altruistic High:
While researchers can't definitively attribute altruism to increased happiness, reduced stress, and improved blood pressure, studies indicate a potential connection. The brain's reward pathway activates when individuals donate money, releasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin. This "altruistic high" may also contribute to increased resilience.
Resolving to Succeed This New Year:
Making altruism a New Year's resolution presents an admirable goal, but how do we ensure it doesn't become another lost cause? Reframe your approach by setting specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time-defined (SMART) goals. For instance, commit to volunteering or donating to a cause you're passionate about.
Tips for a Year of Altruism:
Philanthropy adviser Jenny Santi offers practical advice for helping others a part of your life:
Find your passion: Focus on causes that genuinely matter to you.
Give your time: Recognize the value of contributing your time, not just financially.
Choose transparent organizations: Research to ensure your contributions have a tangible impact.
Integrate interests and skills: Align charitable efforts with your abilities for personal and professional growth.
Be proactive: Seek out opportunities rather than waiting for them, driven by genuine motivation.
In the words of Aristotle, the essence of life is to serve others and do good. Making this essence the focus of your New Year's resolution is a meaningful way to start any year.
Why should I make a New Year's resolution?
Setting a New Year's resolution provides a clear opportunity for self-reflection and goal-setting. It allows you to identify areas of improvement or personal growth, fostering a sense of purpose and direction for the upcoming year.
How do I choose the right resolution for myself?
Should my resolution be specific, or can it be broad?
How can I stay motivated throughout the year to achieve my resolution?
What if I face challenges or obstacles in achieving my resolution?
Start the New Year with a commitment to not just improve your own life, but to help others too. If you're feeling overwhelmed or need support, Koott's Malayali psychologists are here to offer online counseling tailored to your needs. You don’t have to navigate challenges alone—reach out for the support you deserve today.
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