Living Well This Week – Embracing Altruism for health & wellbeing

Dear Readers

Welcome to my weekly Living Well This Week letter where I share not only what I’ve been up to, but also ideas and information I’ve discovered during the week to help us all Live Well and Enjoy Life.

We just arrived home from a week away in Cairns, North Queensland. It was exactly what Mike and I both needed (see last week’s post Living Well This Week – The Power of Pause: Unveiling the Benefits of Taking Time Out. The freedom that comes with getting away from the daily routine and combine exploration with rest and relaxation. We stayed at Trinity Beach which is about 20 minutes drive north of Cairns. It is a small community and not too overdeveloped. It has just the right mix of restaurants and cafes to add to the beautiful beach lifestyle.

Staying in an apartment on the beach, provided daily beach walks as well as exploring world heritage sites to the north such as Mossman Gorge and The Daintree Rainforest.

Living Well This Week – Embracing Altruism for health & wellbeing

This week I’m putting the focus on how embracing altruism can enhance your health and well-being. Altruism, the practice of selflessly caring for others, goes beyond just benefiting those on the receiving end—it significantly impacts the giver’s health and happiness as well.

Each month I share the Action for Happiness Calendar and for August the theme is Altruism and with the way the world is at the moment, we can certainly do with a heavy dose, can’t we?

There are certainly health and wellbeing benefits to being Altruistic however, finding the balance between Self care and Selflessness is important to maintain good health.

The Power of Altruistic Behavior

Altruistic behavior, whether it’s volunteering at a local charity, helping a neighbor, or simply offering a kind word to a friend in need, enriches our lives in numerous ways. Acts of kindness release endorphins, creating a “helper’s high” that boosts our mood and emotional well-being. Moreover, engaging in altruism strengthens social bonds, fostering deeper connections and a sense of community.

Health Benefits of Being Altruistic

Studies have shown that altruism can lead to better physical health. Those who regularly engage in acts of kindness often experience lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and even longer lifespans. The positive emotions associated with helping others enhance our immune system, making us more resilient to illnesses.

Balancing Self-Care with Selflessness

While it’s wonderful to give, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between altruism and self-care. Setting boundaries ensures you don’t overextend yourself. Prioritize activities that rejuvenate you, such as regular exercise, hobbies, and relaxation. Integrating self-care into your daily routine, like taking short breaks, eating well, and getting enough sleep, helps sustain your energy levels and avoid burnout.

Mindful Giving for a Balanced Life

Mindful giving means being aware of your intentions and the impact of your actions. It helps you give more meaningfully and prevents burnout. Seek support from your social network—sharing your experiences with friends and family can provide encouragement and perspective, helping you maintain a healthy balance between selflessness and self-care.

By embracing altruism in a balanced way, you not only uplift others but also enhance your own well-being. Let’s commit to small acts of kindness every day and experience the profound impact they have on our health and happiness.

Action for Happiness – Altruistic August Calendar

Click to access Action-for-Happiness-Aug-2024.pdf

Join me in the Daily Exercise Challenge for August

August has begun and the Women Living Well After 50 Daily Exercise Challenge on Facebook continues for another month. This month some of us in the group are adding a challenge. In addition to our 30 minutes of exercise (personal choice) we are also focusing on Stretching with a dedicated daily 10 minute stretching routine.

I’m loving how everyone is posting what they have done, inspiring and motivating the other members. Here is the link to the FB Group and I’d love you to join us. We can motivate and support each other to stay active and fit over 50. WLWA50 – DAILY EXERCISE CHALLENGE | Facebook.

The Share the Dignity August Drive has begun

Part of being altruistic is volunteering and as I mentioned in an earlier post, I recently volunteered to be a Shero for the Australian charity Share the Dignity. In collaboration with Woolworths and other businesses, the August Drive has started and you will find the pink collection box at all stores and participating businesses. Share the Dignity was founded in 2015 when founder Rochelle Courtenay first learnt of homeless women going without basic period products during their menstrual cycle, she decided the question was not, “why is no one doing anything” but rather, “what’s stopping me from doing something?” Since founding the charity, Share the Dignity has donated over 4.8 million packets of period products to those in need with the help of over 2,600+ active volunteers nationwide

Share the Dignity’s August Dignity Drive enables people to donate period products and incontinence aids at Woolworths supermarkets and select businesses nationwide to help minimise period poverty. Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of every period product during August adding to the $2.84 million already donated, which has helped fund an additional 110 Dignity Vending Machines across the country.

Next time you are shopping it would be great if you could pick up a pack of period products or incontinence aids and pop them in the Collection box at Woolies.

Community Corner

**Share Your Story:**

I would love to hear from you! Share your health and wellness journey, tips, or success stories with me in the comments below, via email or be a guest on the Women Living Well After 50 Podcast. Your experiences can inspire and motivate others in our community.

Remember, age is just a number, and every day is an opportunity to live well and enjoy life.

Have a lovely week!

Women Living Well After 50

Living Life Your Way