(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Just a few notes on Giving Tuesday [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-11-28 There are many good, reliable, honest charities that will appreciate your donations, but there are also too many rip-off artists running their own little scams. Giving to others can help the donor in physiological ways, but before you open your wallet, check out the background of the intended recipient(s) to maximize the benefits and minimize the heartbreak of knowing you might have contributed to some grifter’s legal defense fund. The Neuroscience of Giving Neuroscience has demonstrated that giving is a powerful pathway for creating more personal joy and improving overall health. While the brain is remarkably complex, the neurochemical drivers of happiness are quite easy to identify. Dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin make up the Happiness Trifecta. Any activity that increases the production of these neurochemicals will cause a boost in mood. It’s really that simple. But the benefits don’t stop at moods! Serotonin is connected to sleep, digestion, memory, learning, and appetite. Dopamine is connected to motivation and arousal. Oxytocin “the cuddle hormone” is among the most ancient of our neurochemicals and has a powerful effect on the brain and the body. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/vitality/201404/the-neuroscience-giving Giving Tuesday, explained In 2012, the 92nd Street Y in New York and the United Nations Foundation introduced Giving Tuesday with the hope that after several days of big sales and rampant consumption, there’d be interest in giving back. “I remember [92nd Street Y director] Henry Timms saying, ‘All the days of the week are going to be taken, we should grab Tuesday,’” Rob Reich, a professor of political science and philosophy at Stanford who studies philanthropy and who participated in the development of Giving Tuesday, told me. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21727010/giving-tuesday-explained-charity-nonprofits 5 tips to avoid scams and 'make the most impact' this Giving Tuesday “Don’t feel pressured”: You don’t have to give today. Campbell’s office says legitimate charities will take the time to tell you how they’re using your money. “Don’t pay by cash or debit card“: Instead, use credit card or check, especially if donating online. That way, Campbell’s office says, you have the ability to stop a payment if you’re duped. (Additionally, using a debit card could give scammers the ability to access and withdraw even more money from your account.) Here are a few links to help you decide where to send your donations: https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/11/28/giving-tuesday-charity-donation-avoid-scams-tips-newsletter https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/best-charities/highly-rated-charities/ https://www.charitywatch.org/ https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/best-charities-to-donate-to https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21728843/best-charities-donate-giving-tuesday https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/banking/best-car-donation-charities/ https://wallethub.com/edu/best-charities-to-donate-to/28658 https://www.guidestar.org/ [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/11/28/2208441/-Just-a-few-notes-on-Giving-Tuesday?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/