Beat the Winter Blues: Give to Goodwill!

The winter chill has set in, and everything is cloudy and gray. It’s common to feel a little down this time of year ““ when the twinkle of holiday lights has faded and we start the long countdown to the warmer breezes of spring.

Thankfully, you don’t have to spend the rest of the winter season feeling blue. Did you know there’s one simple thing you can do to boost your mood? The secret is to do something good ““ like donating to Goodwill!

Here’s how giving back can help you beat the winter blues:

Tidy up and donate to Goodwill!

Give Smiles to Get Smiles

Making a difference in someone else’s life is an instant mood-booster. In fact, studies show that when you help someone else, your body releases dopamine, the chemical that creates pleasure. This phenomenon has been dubbed the ” helpers high.”

When you do something generous for someone else, like make a Goodwill donation, your body stimulates the reward center of your brain. This creates an immediate feeling of happiness and positivity!

Live a Happier Life

Looking after our mental health is an important part of overall wellbeing, and helping others can have a long-term impact in this area. Research has shown that people who regularly give back to causes they care about have a better outlook on life and see themselves in a more positive light. Some studies even link generosity to lower rates of depression. So, if you’re feeling the winter blues this season, take some time to give back. It may boost your mood and make these cold days less dreary!

Improve Physical Health

The benefits of giving back go beyond mental health. In fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic, giving has been shown to lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, and even lead to a longer life. That’s a great reason to give back whenever you can!

Donate to Goodwill and make a difference in your community

Take the First Step to a Happier You

It turns out, giving back to your community is much bigger than beating the winter blues. The simple act of helping those around you can change your life for the better in so many ways, all year round!

Ohio Valley Goodwill makes it easy to start doing good in your community. We transform your generous donations of clothing and household goods into meaningful job skills training and employment services for individuals with disabilities, local veterans, and others facing barriers to employment. Every donation helps us fulfill our mission to change lives through the power of work!

So, how can you help? The best way to get started is to look for items you’re no longer using to donate. You can donate clothes, accessories, household items, and more to Ohio Valley Goodwill. We even accept car donations in Cincinnati for our weekly Auto Auction! Find the donation site nearest to you and plan a trip today. We’re confident that you’ll feel great about your decision to donate to Goodwill!