3 Reasons It's Better to Give Than to Receive

December is the season of giving—and truth be told it can get a little overwhelming. There’s the pressure to find the perfect gift, the reality of budget constraints and there never seems to be enough time to get it all done. The good news is giving is its own reward with actual health and wellbeing benefits. Keep that in mind as you’re racing round to finish up your holiday shopping. Need a last-minute gift idea? Relax, Glenwood Hot Springs has you covered there, too.

1. Giving increases happiness. Research shows giving money and gifts is a mood booster. According to science, being altruistic gives us a “warm glow.” Brain imaging shows certain regions of the brain associated with pleasure light up when we give to others, even small amounts of giving can trigger inner joy. So, when you’re feeling frazzled and need a lift, go ahead and drop a dollar in the Salvation Army bucket or send a check to your favorite charity.

2. Giving increases longevity. Lending a hand to someone in need may extend your life and protect you from the impact of stress, according to a 2013 study. Pitching in to help can be as simple as shoveling a neighbor’s walk, babysitting for an exhausted young couple or running an errand for a friend. Your immediate help will be greatly appreciated, but in the end it’s you who will reap the long-term benefits.

3. Giving increases abundance. It may seem counterintuitive, but according to Psychology Today generosity is expansive energy—you have to expend energy to get energy—a sort of positive what-goes-around-comes-around mentality. Without jeopardizing your budget, the holidays are a perfect time to step into the flow of abundance and implement the spirit of generosity. Give when and where you can. Try it and see what happens.

Add even more joy to the season by giving a thoughtful gift that’s appropriate for nearly every person on your holiday shopping list—a gift card to Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Whether the recipient is a family member, a friend or a co-worker, they’ll appreciate a gift that gives them so many options to relax, rejuvenate and get away to Colorado’s top geothermal destination in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Gift cards are available for any amount, making them an ideal choice for every budget. They don’t expire, and they are valid property-wide. Use them at the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge, the Shop, the Athletic Club, the Spa of the Rockies and of course for admission to the world-famous Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. Gift cards are simple to give too: tuck one in a stocking, send one in a holiday card or wrap it extravagantly and place it in under the tree.

Being generous in spirit and action does a body good. Happy holidays from Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Learn more and purchase gift cards at www.hotspringspool.com.