Give
Helping others is one of the best ways to boost your own happiness and health. It boosts life satisfaction, meaning, mood and your overall life span.
Seeing yourself and your happiness linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.
Giving doesn't need to be difficult, it can be as simple as helping a friend, sharing a smile, your expertise or something you have grown.
See all the incredible health benefits from giving to others and explore some of the ways you can help below.
Ways you can give this Christmas
The best Christmas gifts don't always come wrapped in paper. While the season often gets consumed by shopping lists and gift wrapping, some of the most meaningful presents you can offer cost nothing at all.
This year, consider giving the gifts that truly matter—your time, attention, kindness, and presence.
These simple acts can reduce stress, strengthen connections, and bring genuine joy to both you and the people you care about.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
This Christmas give the gift of your full attention
Giving someone your full attention shows they matter and deepens trust. When you're truly present—without distractions—people feel genuinely heard, you catch important nuances, and conversations become more meaningful for both of you.
See advice on how to give your full attention with the Active Listening guide from MensLine Australia.
This Christmas give yourself the gift of self-compassion
Self-compassion reduces anxiety and builds resilience by treating yourself kindly when you're struggling. Unlike self-criticism, it helps you learn from mistakes without beating yourself up, protecting against stress while building genuine confidence.
Try the self-compassion exercises from experts suggested by Lifeline WA.
This Christmas give the gift of a compliment
Giving genuine compliments strengthens connections and makes people feel valued. It also boosts your own mood by focusing on the positive, and creates a ripple effect as people pass that kindness forward.
Learn 5 ways to give compliments that aren’t based on looks thanks to Youth Reach Out.
This Christmas give the gift of a smile
Smiling at someone creates instant warmth and often gets a smile back. It lifts both your moods, eases awkwardness, and makes interactions more comfortable—plus it triggers good feelings in your brain too.
Find out what happened when Danielle tried smiling at people on her morning walk in Dubai.
This Christmas give yourself a break!
The Christmas build-up brings deadlines, catch-ups, and organizing pressures. Give yourself a break! Savour a cup of tea, take a quiet walk, or simply breathe for five minutes. Small pauses help you enjoy the season.
Try the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding practice from The Partnership In Education.
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Tips and Resources
- Do something kind for a stranger, neighbour or friend
- Give up some of your time and volunteer with Volunteering SA or with the City of Adelaide
- Learn about and participate in the city's Circular Economy
- Give some produce from your garden to family, co-workers, friends, or neighbours
- Volunteer at a community event
- Learn more about giving blood through Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
- Join an environmental group like Australian Conservation Foundation or Conservation Council SA.
