As a psychologist who spent years working with individuals navigating everything from anxiety to trauma,

I've seen firsthand how powerful the act of giving can be.

But let's keep it real. Life can be overwhelming.

We're juggling work, relationships, personal goals, and sometimes just surviving feels like enough.

So when someone suggests adding volunteering or giving back to that list, it might feel like just another task.

But here's the thing. Giving back isn't just about helping others. It's also one of the best things

you can do for yourself. Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson.

Every week on this show, I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches,

a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment. Let's dive into what research

tells us about the benefits of giving back. Studies consistently show that altruistic behavior,

whether it's volunteering at a local shelter, donating to a cause you care about, or simply

helping a neighbor can have positive effects on our

mental and physical well-being.

The first thing that it can help with is boosting happiness and reducing depression.

Research has found that people who engage in pro-social spending, so this is spending money

on others, report greater happiness compared to

those who spend money on themselves. This isn't me suggesting that you go and spend money you don't

have. However, I know many of us have fallen into the consumerism trap of getting the next

to Amazon find or similarly trending product. Based on these types of studies, it may make sense to find suitable ways to give back to others,

then it would be to buy another item that will just end up in a landfill in three months.

Another study published revealed that volunteers experience lower levels of depression and increased

life satisfaction. I often recommend to my patients that they identify a way of giving back

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