A Christmas full of love

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We are on our way to Christmas and how brilliant it is  that for the first time in 3 years we are all able to be together. To be with our loved one and friends and enjoy all the wonderful things life has to offer! The fun and laughs trimming the tree, the many hours spent wrapping gifts and having a little tipple at the same time, the food!!!

I cannot wait.

Having always loved this season, I really feel so excited for Christmas 2022. After the crazy mad times we have lived through in recent years we all need to celebrate.

If you are feeling a little less excited, I do understand… There is still some rather unpleasant situations going on around us and things are incredibly tough for many of us. But there is always time for hope and joy.

I believe we need to show kindness to ourselves and those around us in difficult times.

How can we all help each other in times like this? Perhaps you might consider doing a good deed. Maybe volunteering at a soup kitchen in the lead up to the holidays. Or inviting an older person for Christmas lunch to share with your family? How about gathering your friends and family to give some gifts to a children’s hospital.

I am a great believer in the power on our own health when we help others. During lockdown I studied an online course at Yale University. It was the most popular course in their entire history. It was called “The Science of Well-being”

During the course we looked at everything that might make us happy in life. The money, the house, the lifestyle. What I discovered instead was that our happiness does not come from having the latest phone, or driving the best car. It doesn’t come from the pay rise or the promotion, not even having the biggest house.

It comes from helping others.

Studies across the world were shown to suggest that real true happiness comes from being altruistic. The beautiful feeling you get from giving your time, money, love and support to other people beats at every level the feelings you might get from receiving something yourself.

Winston Churchill once said “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”

Experiments have shown evidence that altruism is hardwired in our brain and that its totally pleasurable for us.

Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier and more meaningful.

One thing to consider when helping others, the gift of time is often more valuable to the receiver and more satisfying for the giver than the gift of money.

We don’t all have the same amount of money, but we all do have the same amount of time, and can give some of this to help others. Whether that means we devote our lifetimes to service, or just give a few hours each day or a few days a year. It will absolutely raise your happiness levels. I guarantee it! Give it a try this Christmas and show someone the love.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season.

Sarah xx