According to Dr. Bibhu Mohanty, a structural cardiologist and the director of the neuro-cardiac program at the University of South Florida, the act of giving back can help buffer the effects of one of the body’s most lethal enemies: stress.

“Broadly speaking, we can see stress manifest as mental illness,” says Mohanty. “Engaging in acts of kindness, whether through volunteering or donating, shifts our focus from our own troubles to the needs and distresses of others. This diversion of attention can significantly reduce symptoms of various stress-related conditions.” Donating time or money, he says, can help people cope with stress, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and anxiety.

The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is the brain’s reward system, which is driven by the feel-good hormone dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that hеlps regulate heart rate and blood flow and influences ovеr-all cardiovascular health. That’s why activities that trigger the release of dopamine, like еxеrcisе, listеning to music or pursuing fulfilling pastimes, can improve hеart hеalth.

“When we help others, especially from a position of greater power or privilege, the experience activates this reward system, inducing a sense of calm and well-being,” says Mohanty. “This positive reinforcement helps suppress anxieties and reinforces the brain’s reward pathways.”

Mohanty says that the brain’s “dopamine-driven reward system” explains why many people who give or volunteer do so repeatedly. They find it “pleasurable and fulfilling,” he says. “It’s not just about the act itself, but the emotional response it generates, making the experience deeply satisfying and habit-forming.”

While all types of giving can benefit bodies and minds, different types of giving can have different effects. Volunteering by physically engaging in helping others provides a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that is more uplifting and longer-lasting than just making a donation, for example. “Social science experiments have demonstrated that people who invest their time and energy in solving issues through group activities experience more significant emotional rewards than those who contribute indirectly,” says Mohanty.

The physical benefits of giving are also significant. “Activities such as community cleanups, working at soup kitchens or helping at shelters often involve physical labor. These activities provide a form of exercise that combines physical activity with social interaction, similar to the benefits of exercising at a gym versus at home,” says Mohanty. “The combination of physical activity and social engagement boosts overall well-being more effectively than either activity alone.”

The elderly often exemplify the long-term benefits of giving. “Many people in their 90s remain active and engaged in communal activities, which speaks directly to their vitality and sense of purpose,” says Mohanty. “While hard data on longevity is scarce, anecdotal evidence suggests that those who give back to their communities enjoy more vibrant and fulfilling lives.”