Giving Tuesday: Why Giving Money to Others Makes us Happier
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Spending on Others Increases Happiness
Correlational studies have shown that people who use their money to help others report higher levels of happiness. Research conducted on over 600 participants revealed that spending money on others predicts happiness, while spending on oneself did not significantly impact reported happiness levels. This connection between spending on others and increased happiness held true even when accounting for household income, indicating that the act of helping others directly contributes to one's happiness, contrary to common beliefs about personal consumption and happiness.
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