SuperV

Generosity is no longer the selfless act we’ve long thought it to be. Studies now suggest that one of the biggest benefactors of generosity is the person who is dishing it out. Like a healthy diet, exercise, and good genes, generosity may increase your life span. A 2003 research study at the University of Michigan reveals that the positive effects of generosity include improving one’s mental and physical health and promoting longevity. In another Michigan study, which traced 2,700 people over 10 years, researchers found that men who did regular volunteer work had death rates 2.5 times lower than men who didn’t. Generosity can help reduce stress, support one’s physical health and enhance one’s sense of purpose. So what is it about generosity that makes it so vital to a happy and healthy life? First, it’s important to note that the form of generosity that most benefits us isn’t measured in a dollar amount or a physical gain. What matters is the ...

While bearing our own suffering is bad enough, watching our children struggle can be almost unbearable! It’s natural to want to avoid things that are uncomfortable and unpleasant, and especially to protect our children from experiencing them.  And clearly, suffering for extended periods of time is unacceptable. But the truth is, life is not without physical and emotional suffering. From the moment our children are born, they need to breathe on their own and communicate their distress. And part of our job as parents is to help them contend with this distress so they can learn to take care of themselves. Learning about negative feelings and their meaning helps our children attend to critical information so they can effectively navigate through their lives. In this day and age, there are infinite ways for our kids to attempt to avoid and escape negative emotions and discomfort.  They have quick access to distraction and sources of entertainment in the palm of their ...