This time of year, we talk a lot about gratitude and thankfulness, which are great concepts to keep top of mind year-round. Research has shown that feelings of gratitude alone can have positive effects on a person’s wellbeing. But that doesn’t mean it has to stop there! Have you considered how you might turn simply being grateful into something more? You probably already know the answer.
Giving back, donating, volunteering, pitching in – whatever you want to call it – is not only great at an individual level, but also an experience you can share with your partner. Beyond the obvious benefit of doing something good for others or for your community, here are five more reasons to give back together.
- Strengthen your bond over shared values
There’s a good chance that you and your spouse share common values. Expressing those values through giving back or volunteering is an impactful way to solidify that bond and reaffirm what they mean to both of you. Sometimes, you might find yourselves getting caught up in the daily grind, losing sight of values you hold dear. Finding a way to give back with your partner can help you both recenter and refocus yourselves on the things that truly matter.
- You’ll model generosity for your children and family.
If you have children, you know how important it is to set a good example for them. You might tell them about the value in helping others, but nothing compares to showing them through your own actions and making it a regular part of your lives. Maybe you volunteer as a family for church events throughout the year or you have the kids choose gifts to donate each holiday season. Even if you don’t have children, you can spread the spirit of giving throughout your immediate or extended families. You might invite them to join you and your spouse or pass along opportunities for them to donate their time, services, or other resources. However, you choose to do it, it’s a great way to amplify your impact.
- You can establish a meaningful shared activity.
If you’re on the hunt for a new date night idea, volunteering together can be a powerful choice. You’re not only spending quality time together, but you’re also doing something meaningful that has the potential to fill your cups. What starts out as one date might turn into in ongoing activity that you share, which has the benefit of fostering more connection, intimacy, and friendship between you.
- You’ll spur more positive feelings in your relationship.
Research has shown that giving to others produces more feelings of happiness than receiving. It also elicits gratitude in both the giver and receiver, which may be contrary to what you’d expect. So, when you and your spouse participate in giving back or volunteering together, those positive feelings carry over into your own relationship as well. You might notice that you feel and express more gratitude and kindness with each other, which ultimately has a positive effect that ripples throughout your marriage.
5. You can give back in your own unique way.
The great thing about giving is you can do it in a way that truly speaks to each of you. There is no “right” way, and when you and your spouse find the thing that clicks, it’s becoming a unique expression of who you are as a couple. Maybe you’re both book lovers, and you organize book drives or Little Free Libraries throughout your community. Perhaps you share a passion for gardening, so you grow extra fruits and veggies to donate to families in need. Incorporating something you’re passionate about into giving back with your spouse is a winning combination all around.
Cultivating a grateful mindset can be the catalyst for a lot of positive changes, both within yourself and your relationship. But when you put that mindset into action through giving back, you spread those powerful effects exponentially.
https://www.prepare-enrich.com/blog/5-reasons-to-give-back-together/