Giving Love Is Better Than Getting It

We all want to feel loved. But what about *showing* love? Researchers explored this question using data from over 38,000 adults in the United States.

“The simple act of showing love to others has an impact on our well-being nearly as powerful as feeling financially comfortable.”

They looked at how feeling loved—by parents during childhood or by a divine power—and how showing love to others relate to a person's overall flourishing. Flourishing isn't just about happiness; it includes having good mental and physical health, a sense of purpose, strong character, and healthy relationships. The study confirmed that feeling loved is important. People who felt loved by their parents as kids or who feel loved by a higher power tend to have higher levels of well-being as adults.

But the most surprising discovery was about the power of giving love. Showing love to others turned out to be a stronger predictor of flourishing than either type of feeling loved. In fact, the positive impact of showing love was about as strong as the impact of feeling financially comfortable. The simple, everyday acts of showing someone you care—through a kind word, a listening ear, or a thoughtful gesture—are incredibly powerful for our own well-being. The research also showed that one reason feeling loved is good for us is because it often leads us to show more love to others.

It seems the old wisdom is true: it really is more blessed to give than to receive.