By: Cassidy Delamarter, University Communications and Marketing
Dr. Bibhu Mohanty
While the holidays can often bring stress with long to-do lists that involve shopping and cooking, the true magic of the season is in the act of giving. As it turns out, giving is not just good for others, it鈥檚 good for you too.
Much like the Grinch, whose heart grew three sizes when he discovered the joy of giving, a USF Health researcher has found it鈥檚 also benefitting his patients鈥� health and well-being.
Dr. , an associate professor in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine division of , helps patients navigate severe heart conditions, while researching innovative ways to prevent heart failure, heart attacks and strokes in unique patient populations who often face complex diagnoses.
鈥淲e often discuss ways to help manage stress and one of the things I think that gets forgotten is the gift that we give ourselves when we give and that is actually really profound,鈥� Mohanty said.
Whether it鈥檚 volunteering your time at a soup kitchen, spending your energy visiting with friends and family or giving a wrapped present, our brains reward us with a cascade of feel-good chemicals. These chemicals reinforce positivity, reduce stress and even improve heart health, according to Mohanty. This chemical boost is transmitted to the heart and other vital systems to lower blood pressure and support overall well-being.
Mohanty鈥檚 patients usually face months or years of treatment. Around the holidays, Mohanty says they often ask if they should plan to skip holiday traditions to reduce their stress.
鈥淭hey feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to celebrate, but I always encourage them to engage fully. Whether it鈥檚 hosting family, sharing a meal or giving back to the community, these moments of connection can be profoundly therapeutic,鈥� Mohanty said. 鈥淲hen we shift our focus outwards 鈥� when we're giving of our time, energy, physical objects, whatever it might be 鈥� it alleviates the burden of stress and reinforces our ability to manage our own stress. It鈥檚 the best gift you can give yourself.鈥�