MACON, Ga. — For those in the pursuit of happiness, you must understand that the foundation of your well-being depends on positivity, according to experts.
The father of positive psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, designated "giving" as one of the tenets of his study.
Medical professionals agree that if you want to be happier, healthier and wiser, then you must be generous with all aspects of your life.
"What positive psychology does is it looks at what you do in your life, not just how to be positive, but having a positive mindset and positive actions can make you happier, and others around you feel happier too," Dr. Robyn Cotney said.
The first-year resident psychiatrist at Piedmont Macon Medical Center says that's one of her favorite things to do in her free time.
"Giving, from a psychiatry standpoint, it can reduce depression and anxiety because of those good endorphins flowing through the brain," Dr. Cotney said. "You feel good when you give to others."
When we feel depressed or anxious, our mood and energy levels are low, the psychiatrist said.
"But, when you're giving to others, if we're doing something good, even if it may not be something that's for ourselves, that still boosts everything in you that's happier," she continued. "You start to feel calmer and you relax a bit and the good endorphins and good hormones start going around in your body so your entire body starts to feel the effects of that."
Dr. Uwa Iguobadia, from Lifeguard Pediatrics, says she encourages her young patients to live positively, too.
"Our acts of service, one by one: being gracious, being kind, and being caring to each other," she said.
Her favorite ways of giving to others are through prayer and charity. She said her practice partners with different charity organizations in the community, such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill.
"It helps us all, our well-being, keeping us calm, keeping us happy and sharing that happiness with one another."
Nurse Keilah Jones says giving to others is especially helpful for your physical health, too.
"Serving others in the community by giving can reduce your stress levels, which can reduce your blood pressure, give you good feeling endorphins, decrease your cortisol levels, which makes you feel really, really great!" Jones said.
During the holiday season, Nurse Jones said her family "adopts a kid every year to share gifts with." She says that's her favorite way of giving to others.
It's not even that hard to feel good, the medical professionals say; the intention is enough.
"Just thinking about giving, like, 'Can I do this? I think it will be good, and then I can do this' it starts to get those wheels and hormones flowing." Dr. Cotney said.
While you're being good to others, you're actually being good to yourself, too.