Health Hacktivators With Dr Alka Patel – Lisa Allen, Breast Cancer Awareness And Generosity

You're listening to Health Hacktivators with me, Dr. Alka Patel, on the Woman's Radio Station. Before we get into today's conversation, please do support today's show sponsor, Youth and Earth. Youth and Earth have a range of products that I love to use myself to supercharge my metabolism, to support my health, and to slow down cellular aging. So just be sure you click the link in the show notes for exclusive offers which Youth and Earth are so generously giving only for for listeners of this show. Welcome to Health Hacktivators with lifestyle medicine doctor, GP, and longevity expert, Dr. Alok Patel. This show will help you to discover a hidden health hacking code that unlocks your phenomenal potential for an outstanding healthspan, lifespan, and wealthspan. The show features candid conversations with celebrities, influencers, and industry icons real-life stories and cutting-edge health activating advice that other doctors might not tell you. Discover why now is the time to join the strategic self-care revolution and experience the profound effect this will have on your personal and professional success. Now here is your host, Dr. Alka Patel. Hi, hey, and hello, health activators. On today's show, I have with me Lisa Allen. Now Lisa has a super bright personality and it is matched by even brighter hair. So if you're listening to this rather than watching this, then I would urge you to just head over to my YouTube channel @DrAlkaPatelUK just to get a glimpse of Lisa's fabulous hair. Now Lisa is the relationship partner from the Pink Ribbon Foundation and their mission is to support and fund breast cancer charities. She is an absolute incredible leader in the charity industry, and she does fabulous, fabulous fundraising work for this charity. So we talk about charity, of course, we talk about donation and what donation really means, what drives people to donate, and we're also talking about breast cancer and self-examination. Welcome to the show, Lisa Allen. Hello, hello, Lisa, and a very warm welcome to you to the show today. Hi there, thanks for having me. Very good to see you. Yeah, likewise. Now look, I've got to start by saying this one thing, which is that I— you don't know what it is yet, you're already— I don't know, I might, I might. Go on. I have to say that I love, love your hair. I just love your hair. But I have got a question around that, okay? So I've got to ask you this: what came first? Was your hair always pink and then you found Pink Ribbon Foundation, or did you find Pink Ribbon and then change your hair to match that? What came first? No, the charity came first, right? My hair has always been short and usually peroxide blonde, so pretty much all my life had short hair. It just suits me better. I don't have the patience, unfortunately, for long flowing locks like you have. And what it was, was we, we held our first charity event probably about 22 years ago. And for this particular event, which was during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, I just decided to dye the hair pink for that one evening and then went back to blonde afterwards. And then the following year, we had the same event again at the same venue with a lot of the same people attending, and I thought, oh, I'll do it pink again. And everyone remembered the hair. Yeah, I don't necessarily think they remembered me, but they definitely remembered the hair. There's, oh yeah, I remember you from last year, pink hair. I thought, you know what, this is a good little trick. Yeah. Um, because it was obviously very much on brand with Pink Ribbon Foundation. Yeah. Um, people remembered the hair. It's always a talking point. Everybody wants to ask about their hair. And if you're in a social situation, that then in turn leads to opportunities to talk about the charity. Yeah. And also, like, when you're meeting people for the first time in a coffee shop that's crowded, you can say to people, look out for the pink hair. So it's visible all the time. The amount of taps on the shoulders I get from people that have spotted me from a distance. There's no hiding, put it that way. I love that. I love, love that. I love the way that you've also been able to kind of utilize that, because there is pressure, isn't there, in the charity sector? I mean, you've got to be able to stand out and distinguish yourself. I think I was looking up the kind of number of charities there are, and I think in the UK it's sort of over 400,000. And, you know, worldwide, when you look at sort of nonprofit organizations, you're hitting sort of 10 million plus. So you've got to stand out. So apart from your hair Lisa, you know, you are an incredible charity leader. So what is it about you, your personality, that makes you stand out, do you think, in this, in this field of charity? Um, well, for a start, with the, the Pete River Foundation, we are a very small team, um, and we literally just operate with 3 volunteer trustees. We've got Jonathan Prince, we've got Liz, and we've got Angie, and then there's myself. So we are a small team already anyway, and I think that differentiates us between a lot of the other charities that are out there in, in the form of breast cancer charities. And people are always very surprised about that because they look at the website, they look at our social media, they see the events that we're doing, the celebrities that we work with, the companies that we work with, and they just assume that we are a big, you know, charity, you know, offices in London, lots of staff. And they're always very surprised, pleasantly surprised, that it is, um, that it is run on such a shoestring because obviously it means that more of the money that we raise goes to the good causes that we support because we don't have those costs of rent. You know, we all work from home. I'm at home at the moment, and that was always the case even before COVID So for instance, when COVID hit, um, there wasn't really a huge amount of change for us. We're not a front service charity, so we didn't have to move things online, and we don't, we don't have fixed costs like rent. So, you know, we weren't impacted by that. Um, and for me personally, it's just I love what I do. Um, obviously the hair makes me stand out. Um, my daughter's at an age now where she's probably a little bit more embarrassed about it now. Um, but I think if you do everything with passion, with love, um, I enjoy being surrounded by people. I love talking to people. I love working with the companies and the people that we work with. And I think that probably is the thing that shines through, and I think people get that from me as well. Yeah. And is that need to connect, isn't it? As you say, you've got to stand out, but stand out to connect. And your love of being able to talk to people and have that sense of kind of adventure and connection is incredible as well. So, so maybe let's look at that word charity, because there's lots of words that we use for charity. Things that come to mind are donation and contribution and philanthropy. And there's a lot that we connect with that image of charity. I did Latin at school, and one of the words that it comes from, that sort of Latin word, which means very precious and very valued. So there's something around value as well with charity, isn't there? So what's your definition of charity, Lisa? I think, well, charity, I think always starts at home anyway. I think that as a statement in itself is true. I think it's about looking after people and not just looking after your own, but looking after other people and being mindful of them supporting where you can and lending your skills. So it doesn't always have to be a financial donation that people give. You know, I rely on a lot of people for their skills, skill sets, whether that's photographers, graphic designers, um, people that have the skills that— because we're such a small charity, we don't have those people here working with us all the time. Yeah. Um, so I think charity really is just about doing good, being kind, being mindful, helping others, and, and doing it on a regular basis, not just once a year, which is great obviously, um, but trying to see what charity you can support, um, with a bit more effort. And whether that's financial effort or time effort, um, and finding a charity that is relevant to you and that is specific to you, um, that you care about. Because I think if it's a cause that you care about, you're going to to want to get more involved anyway. We do often think about giving, it's in terms of money, and if I can't give money, then I can't give, give anything. And yet we talk about the 3 Ts of donation, don't we? Donating your time, donating your talent, and donating your treasure. So how do we get people to recognize this is not about giving up your treasures always? What— how else can you donate? What would you suggest to people listening? Yeah, well, I have— I, I mean, I get people reaching out to me quite often on email and things, um, saying, you know, I'm a singer, um, I'd love to offer my talent to one of your events, or, you know, I'm a photographer and I'd love to cover one of your events with free photography if you've got any campaigns going. I would— I'm always open to people contacting the Pink Ribbon Foundation and saying that they've got a skill set that we can use. Sometimes, because of the way that we're set up and the way that we operate, we can't always use use every offer of help. And this is one of the things that, you know, a lot of the companies that we work with, they like to have opportunities for their staff to go out and volunteer in centers and things like that. Obviously, we don't have that opportunity because we work from home and we provide the funding for the people that are doing those things. But we can put people in touch with different charities, um, for sure. But I, I do rely on a lot of, a lot of very talented people. Not all the time, just as and when, you know, the need of the charity arises. Um, but definitely if someone's interested in, you know, they have a skill set that they'd like to donate, that they can definitely reach out to Pink Ribbon Foundation. Now, contact details are on the website, so we'd love to hear from people. Yeah, and I'll put them all on the show notes as well, because again, I think, again, it's, it's about the person, you know, give, give a bit of you, um, and you never know who needs that as well, which is, which is amazing. But tell me a little bit more about what Pink Ribbon do in terms of— because I know you offer grants and things to small charities, so how does, how does that So basically, we are a grant-making foundation, and what that basically means is that we're raising money all year long to give it away. So we have our money coming in through two main areas, which is our corporate partnerships. So that's the companies that work with us on, um, products or services that they make a donation to the charity every time they sell a product or a service. The other half of our money, um, generally comes in through individuals that are raising funds. So that could be schools, work groups, organizations that are raising funds by having things like a Pink Day, baking cakes. Uh, we get people running marathons, we have people doing things like the Tough Mudder, um, skydiving, all of those kind of things. Um, people get sponsored to do, and obviously then that money comes to us. So we then have a big pot of money that we give away every year to charities who work within the field of breast cancer. So we'll have charities all through the UK who will apply to us. Usually the cutoff, I think, is around the end of May. They'll let us know how much they want to apply for. Our great team of trustees, Jonathan, Liz, and Angie, will decide based on lots of different factors what charities get support and how much they get. But to give you an example, we gave to 60 different charities last year, and the amounts that we donated ranged between £400 right up to £46,000. Um, and the £46,000 grant was donated— well, yeah, £40,000 of it was donated by one family to our charity. It had been left in trust, um, after someone's mother had passed away, and she'd supported us during her life, and she left a legacy for charities. And so the family gave us £40,000 and the Pink Ribbon Foundation topped it up by another £6,000, and we donated the money to a brilliant charity called Something to Look Forward To, and it paid for a static caravan on a Parkdean resort by the seaside. And it means that that charity now were able to offer 48 week-long holidays to people that have been affected by breast cancer. So these people that are going through some terrible, um, times with finances being tight and with treatment obviously happening, and then able to take their, their children away and their family away and have a nice week-long break. Um, so that was one of the grants that we paid for, which, um, everybody likes to hear that story because that, you know, the, the caravan now is owned by that charity and those 48 weeks can be given every year. And they're booked out. I mean, the first, the first time they opened the caravan, they were booked out for the whole 48 weeks already. So, so it's nice. As I said, we as a charity don't do the frontline servicing, but the money that we give to the charities that we support does offer things like counseling, wig advice, alternative therapies, holidays, the printing of literature, all of that kind of thing. So very important services that people need when they're going through treatment. Oh, of course. And it sounds as though it's so far-reaching because there's, there's so much that you don't even know that you, you could have or you could need that you don't even know is accessible to you. And this way of just connecting all of that in the way that you're doing it is, is fabulous, actually, especially as you say, it's such a difficult time. Yeah. There's so many other things to be thinking about that time of cancer diagnosis and going through, through treatment. So no, that's a, that's an incredible story to share, and thank you for, for doing that. Um, gosh, you mentioned the skydiving as well. It took me back a bit because you've done a skydive as well. I have indeed. But, uh, I did one as well. I was 18 then, and kind of, you know, didn't even think twice about it as you do when you're 18. Yeah, no, I did mine in 2019. Oh wow, so in my 40s. So, and I did it for Pink Ribbon. Oh cool. And there was a few of us, um, and I don't know about you, but I, I think, well, at 18 it was like you say, you were probably impulsive and you've got no fear at 18. In your 40s it's slightly different. And I have a child. Yeah. So, um, was kind of talked myself into it. Um, but I don't like heights and I don't really like flying anymore. And obviously as you get older, you're aware of your own mortality as well. Sure. Um, but you know what, I highly recommend it. I wasn't scared at all. Oh, it's so true, isn't it? I, I remember the first thing I said is when I landed, my feet hit the ground and I went, can I do that again? I didn't, I didn't say that, but, but there were people that I weird. That was like, get me back up there, I want to do it again. Yeah. Um, but it's, it's such a, you know, it's one of those bucket list things, isn't it? And people can jump for our charity. It doesn't cost them anything. Their fees are all paid as long as they reach a certain target of sponsorship, which is like, I think it's £300 in most of the, um, airfields. It's a— you have to raise £300 for the charity, and if you raise that, your jump is free. There's money there for the charity, and if you raise more than £300, then all of that goes to the charity. And there's airfields all over the UK So I highly recommend it. Wow. Oh, you're really making me think, Lisa. Do I want that thrill again? You and I might need to have a conversation. I mean, definitely, definitely. I'd absolutely love to support what you're doing after what you've shared, uh, shared today. And it might mean falling out of a plane again. Friends with you, do it as a little group. It's nice. We organized a group last year, um, there was about 8 people um, they all jumped on the same day that we all kind of knew each other, um, through the charity. Yeah. And, um, and I think there's a lot of camaraderie in it when you do do it with other people that you know. Yeah. And I think when you do it for charity and you know that you're being sponsored and people are, uh, are willing you on to do it, I think there's a— there's a— it's a lot better to do it that way, I think, than just doing it for no reason. I think if you can link it with a charity, it just gives it more purpose. Yeah, exactly. Oh, absolutely. You know, at 18 I did it for the thrill. If I did it again, of course, it's a different sense, isn't there? So 100%. And you mentioned this kind of, you know, you're more aware of your own mortality. So here's a question for you, because obviously this is a, this is a health show, and on this show I want— I'm giving people ways to live as long as possible. So how long do you want to live, Lisa? Oh, I wouldn't say forever, definitely not. Um, I'd like to, I'd like to get to 100. I'm actually— oh, this is so— this is, this is hard for me to even say, but I'm 50 in April. I'm turning 50 in April, which to me, even saying it just sounds like it's somebody else because I feel— I don't feel it at all. And I always thought, you know, it's like when you're young and you, and you see someone who's 50 and you think, oh, you're so old. And I don't feel old at all. In my head, I probably still feel 20s, 30s. So when I say 50, I still got think it's me I'm referring to. But I'd like that to be kind of halfway. I'd love to live to 100. I'd like to live long enough, if I'm honest, to see my daughter— she's 18 in, in about 18 days actually— and I'd love to see her settled, possibly married, maybe with children potentially. But I'd like to see what she ends up doing. So I'd like to live long enough to see her in, you know, in her midlife and what she's achieved and so on. But today to 100, I think would be nice. I don't think I'd want to live much longer than that. Yeah, it does get you thinking, doesn't it? And, you know, it's really interesting what you say. So I, I turned 50 last year, so not many months, months ago as well. But I measure biological age in everybody. And in fact, I'd love to do this with you as well because that's— my biological age is probably a lot older. A lot of my mental age is young. My body age is probably very old. I definitely don't look after myself. As much as I should. I know, you know what it's like when you're busy all the time and you're always looking after other people and doing things. I'm always kind of like most women, I think. Yeah, very low down on my list of priorities is me. So here you are saying you want to live to 100, and then the same breath saying, but I don't take care of myself. So what are we gonna do about that, Lisa? I know. So give me one thing that you're going to do differently. Okay, so I do like walking and I love going out for the day and walking. I just was recently on Monday in Brighton with my daughter. We did a lot of walking then, got some steps in, um, and we went to Cambridge on Friday— uh, Saturday, did a lot of walking then. Where I struggle sometimes is to make sure that I get out for a daily walk because my computer goes on very early in the morning and I think to myself, I'll do it later, I'll do it this afternoon, I'll do it after I've had lunch, and then before I know it, I get busier throughout the day. It doesn't happen. I turn my laptop off at 6 o'clock and then I'm sorting out dinner and so on. Um, and I think sometimes I just need to not put things off and maybe do my walk first. In terms of longevity and adding years to your life, there's a bit of research that showed it takes off 16 years off your biological age doing a bit of brisk walking every day. So there you are, you're not 50 at all this year. Exactly, it takes 16 years off me. Creating habits, that's the thing, isn't it? And, and bringing it back around to the breast cancer as well, that's a habit as well that people have to get into. Um, because there was a recent survey done with Breast Cancer Now and YouGov, and they were saying that almost half of women— I think it was 47% of women— don't regularly check their breasts. So again, that is a habit that has to be formed to make habit, a regular habit that you do every month, um, and which can save your life, obviously. And that's a huge statistic, 47%, isn't it? And I think we should just, you know, pause on that for a second. 47% of women are not regularly self-checking, and yet we know that in terms of prevention, that is so, so key. It only takes a few minutes, but it's back to what you were saying— I don't have time— or I'm not making this a priority. Well, they were saying that— I think there were a lot of reasons why people didn't do it. They forgot, they didn't know how to do it, they didn't know if they were doing it right. Um, and, and you, you yourself will know there isn't really a wrong way of doing it. There's suggested ways, obviously, but if you're checking regularly and you're looking at your body regularly and you're feeling often, then you'll know as soon as something that isn't right or that wasn't there last month appears. And so really, it's that not doing anything which is the worst thing you can do, because as soon as you spot any signs that were— that, you know, are new, that weren't there before, or that concern you, that's when you go and you make your, your, um, appointment with the GP. And most breast cancers are picked up by individuals that are checking, because obviously, unless you've got some kind of family history, the mammograms don't kick in until 50. So I've got that letter to look forward to, which will be coming, I'm sure, soon. Um, so yeah, so it is important to obviously check yourself. Yeah, yeah, no, love that. Thank you so much, Lisa. I think you've shared so many great insights. You've sort of also lifted the fear and created some lightness about the conversations around breast cancer and around charity and donation and keeping that alive and keeping that awareness and activity alive as well. So any final message for, for listeners? For me, no, I would like to say thank obviously to you for having me on and letting us share our story and talk about the charity. And if people are interested about what they can do, what we're up to, how they can support, they can obviously go onto our website, um, and follow us on Instagram, for instance. There's a whole, whole lot of stuff there to read and see and check out. So yeah, keep in touch. And if anybody wants to reach out personally, I'm always very happy to hear from people. Oh, amazing. Thank you. I'm going to put all of those links in, in the show notes. Thank you, Lisa. Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you. Today I am exploring the science of generosity, and the one question that I'm answering is, how can I be more generous? And simply listening to her living and breathing through her generosity in her work and in the way that she lives her life is what's then prompted me to take a look into the fascinating world of generosity. But not only that, because when I ran the London Marathon a few weeks ago, what I was so, so deeply moved by was the sheer generosity of people. People who lined the streets generously giving their time, the runners so generously giving their energy, all running with a meaning in their hearts, and so many people generously giving their money to support charity. Generosity. Well, it fascinates me, so I am super, super excited to dive into this topic with you all today. So what will I be doing? Well, I'll be looking at what generosity is. Is it innate? Is it genetic? Is there even a nice gene? And can it be learned? And I'll be exploring why generosity matters and also looking at what makes people normal generous, and what goes on in your brain and with your biochemistry as well when you are generous. And of course, as always, I'll be looking at how you can use data and devices to support your journey as well. So let's get going. Let's start off with what is generosity? So generosity, well, it is like that glitter of the human spirit, isn't it? It's that quality that makes you want to spread a little extra sparkle into the world. No, I'm not talking about giving away your last square of chocolate, because of course that is in itself the most noblest of acts, but what generosity is, is the selfless act of giving without expecting anything in return. So it's a bit like being Santa Claus minus the red suit and minus the cookie addiction. Giving without expectation or of return. It's a feel, not a deal. Now, the burning question is whether generosity is innate in all humans. Are we all born with a natural inclination to be kind and giving? Well, studies do suggest that generosity might just be in our DNA. Imagine that! It's like we're all walking around with tiny little generosity genes go, "Hey there, be kind, be giving, and you will make the world a better place." But just to be super clear here, we don't have a nice gene specifically. It isn't like there's a gene out there labeled GFT2, Generosity Factor 2, that will determine if you're going to be Mother Teresa or Scrooge. But the reason that I say it's in your DNA is because generosity is part of your survival mechanism. So if you go back to your ancestral days, back to our ancestral days, being generous and being kind meant that you got to sleep in the cave with your fellow tribe members rather than being ousted outside to sleep with the lions. And it is generosity and the emotional connect that comes from it that's kept the human species connected. And what research does suggest is that generosity is indeed innate in humans. It's rooted in our evolutionary history, and it's connected to our survival as a species. And of course, in ancestral times, all that cooperation and reciprocal altruism, well, it played crucial roles in ensuring survival of very early human communities. And there's been lots of studies on this. There's an interesting study that highlights the innate nature of generosity, So this particular study was conducted by Michael Tomasello. He's a developmental psychologist at Duke University in North Carolina. And in his work, what he did was study the behavior of young children to really investigate their natural inclinations towards helping others. So in this particular study, what was involved was observing children, and they were as young as 14 months old. And what the researchers found was that even at such an early age, children did display very spontaneous acts of helping and sharing and cooperation without any external prompts or rewards. So what does this suggest? Well, it suggests that there is in us an innate tendency towards prosocial behavior, and prosocial behavior includes generosity, and this starts from a very early stage in human development. So, of course, while there is no specific generosity gene that we have discovered yet, the expression of genes related to prosocial and generous behaviors has got other influences, what we call epigenetic factors. So epigenetics, what is that? Well, epigenetics is the change in your gene expression which is caused by environmental influences rather than alterations in your underlying DNA sequence. It's all about your environment and its impact on how your genes show up. So again, if we look at the research, what we know is that experiences, upbringing, social environments, they all shape gene expression patterns related to empathy and altruism and generosity. So, well, for example, some studies have shown that experiencing kindness and nurturing in your childhood then leads to upregulation of genes associated with generous behavior. And these should, in theory, last throughout adulthood. But then, what happens as we move into adult life, what we often see is that very innate nature of generosity generosity gets concealed. It gets inhibited by modern living. So things like the busyness of day-to-day life in this very 24/7 world that we're now in, things like societal pressures, cultural norms, these can all dampen your innate generosity, and they can then influence how generosity is expressed and valued in different contexts that you find yourself. And there's also this sense of this competitive nature in the modern society of today and that focus on individual success that also is starting to overshadow your innate inclination towards generosity. So yes, generosity is innate in everyone. Every single one of you listening is generous at your very core but it is also influenced by a range of other factors from your upbringing to your experiences and the environment that you're in as well. So think of generosity as a combination of nature meets nurture. So thinking about nature then, in terms of nature, what about personality? Well, turns out that there are 5 big personality traits that influence how likely you are to lend a helping hand, and it seems that generosity isn't just a once-only event, it's ingrained into your persona. So let me give you 5 generous personality traits and just think about which one resonates with you. So there's agreeableness. Agreeable folks, they've got compassion and empathy and they're very naturally inclined to be generous. So if you're the kind of person who always has a shoulder available to lean on, who's always got a caring word for those around you, then you really do have a great big heart. Agreeable folks, they're the ones who will be knitting blankets for kittens and organizing bake sales for a good cause. They'll be spreading kindness like confetti. So that's agreeableness. Then there's openness. Are you the curious, imaginative type who's always up for trying new things? Well, guess what? Your openness might just be fueling your generous spirit. So open individuals tend to embrace diverse perspectives and ideas. They're the ones who very easily put themselves in someone else's shoes, and they understand different points of view. So they'll be the ones brainstorming innovative solutions, coming up with out-of-the-box ideas to tackle social issues. They see possibilities where others see roadblocks., and this openness to the world is what makes them more inclined to be generous and extend that helping hand. And then there's another very interesting personality trait— neuroticism. What? Neuroticism can be a generosity trait? Oh yes, it is true. Neurotic people are self-aware, and they can be productive individuals who channel their anxious energy into acts of kindness, constantly striving to make a difference in the world. Because when you're in touch with your own emotions, it enables you to notice emotions in others as well. So this awareness and this self-awareness can be a recipe for generosity. Neurotic people, well, think of it this way: they're like the superheroes of generosity. They're battling their own worries while saving the day for others. Fourth personality trait is Conscientiousness. Are you the organized, responsible type who likes to get things done? Well, guess what? Your conscientiousness extends way beyond just being reliable because it can also make you a more generous person. So people who are high in conscientiousness tend to keep their promises and they keep their commitments, and that includes commitments to giving. So if that is you, then go ahead, tick off generosity on your to-do list. And finally, extroversion. So if you're the life of the party, always ready to socialize, and you cannot resist striking up a conversation with strangers, then you might just have a very generous streak. Extroverts tend to thrive on human interaction, and that very outgoing nature is what often then translates into acts of generosity. So if that's you, then just keep mingling and spingling and spread those good vibes with your enthusiastic infection. No, with your infectious enthusiasm. That's what I meant. So, thinking about those traits, what would you say is your strongest trait out of these 5? And how then can knowing your dominant trait help you to donate more of your time, talents, and treasures? Well, it's all about finding the right fit. So if you're an extrovert, look for opportunities to get involved in group activities or events. If you're an agreeable person, well, consider donating to causes that really align with your personal values. If you're conscientious, make a regular habit of giving, whatever that is, a small amount each month or volunteering your time once a week. And really remember, of course, as I've said, these traits are just part of the puzzle. When it comes to generosity, it's not a one-size-fits-all situation, and everyone's generosity is shaped by their own unique blend of traits and experiences and values. So whether you're an outgoing extrovert, a compassionate agreeable, a responsible conscientious, a self-aware stable soul, or an open-minded explorer, a giver, there is room for generosity in your own way. Now, you might be wondering, but why? Why does generosity even matter? And as a giver, what are the benefits of being generous? Well, firstly, and probably the most obvious, is improved psychological well-being. When you experience a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and positive emotions through acts of generosity, it contributes to your own psychological well-being with much better emotional health. Generosity is like, well, it's like winning the lottery of happiness, but the fun does not stop there because generosity also does a little dance with your heart. What studies have shown is that when you're kind and giving, it can lower your blood pressure, blood pressure and reduce your stress levels. There's a study published in the journal Health Psychology, and what this revealed was that adults who volunteered for at least 200 hours a year, they were less likely to develop high blood pressure. So think about that. Helping others can help keep your blood pressure in check. It's like a free workout for your cardiovascular system. So next time that you're feeling a little overwhelmed and under pressure, sugar, skip the crisps, and instead go lend someone a helping hand instead. Your heart will thank you, and so will the world. And there's also a link between generosity and longevity, because it turns out that being generous can add a few years to your life. What researchers have found is that people who engage in acts of generosity tend to have, as I said, lower levels of stress and depression, but they also live longer than those who are perhaps hoarding their kindness. So think of generosity as that elixir of life. And on that, there was a study that was published in the American Journal of Public Health, and it found that people who regularly gave their time to others had a lower risk of mortality. So the next time then that you're pondering whether to binge-watch Netflix or not, or lend a helping hand, think about that potential fountain of youth that generosity could be creating for you. So where are we at? Well, now you know the benefits of generosity and have every reason to live a more generous life. The question is, can generosity be learned? Can you learn to be more generous?? And the simple answer to that is absolutely yes, because generosity is like a skill that you can just sharpen with practice, like learning to juggle or perfecting your dance moves in front of the mirror. And yes, we have all been there. And what studies have shown is that acts of generosity, what they do is they rewire your brains. They create positive feedback loops that make you want to give even more. It's like a never-ending cycle. Cycle where giving feels so good that you can't help but do it again and again. Looking at studies, well, a study published in the journal of Nature Communications found that when participants engaged in acts of generosity for several weeks, they experienced changes in their brain activity associated with happiness. So the more you flex your generosity muscle, the stronger that it gets. But why is that? What happens in your head and your heart when you are being generous? Well, let's to this— let's now, yeah, let's now turn to the science a bit. So, when it comes to understanding the neural basis of generosity, there's several key brain regions and neurotransmitters that are involved in the process. So, one of the main brain regions associated with generosity is called the ventral striatum. The ventral striatum, that's a part of your brain's reward system, and this region is responsible for processing pleasurable experiences. So, you know that, that rush of excitement that you get when you find maybe an unexpected £20 note in your pocket? Well, that is the same brain region associated with receiving rewards that light up when you engage in the acts of generosity. It's like your brain is shouting, "Jackpot! Hey, generosity is the winning ticket!" And another brain region that is also linked to generosity is the prefrontal cortex, more specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, DLPFC. This region is more specifically involved in decision-making and self-control and moral judgments. And what it does is it helps you weigh the pros and cons of your actions, and it helps you to to make choices that align with your values. So when you engage in generous behaviours, the DLPFC becomes more active. It guides you towards altruistic actions and it overrides any, say, selfish impulses. So think of it like that voice of reason, which is just simply saying, "Hey, think about the greater good." So that's brain regions. What about the chemicals that work behind the scenes that make generosity feel so good? Well, let's talk about neurotransmitters and hormones. So when you engage in acts of generosity, this triggers the release of those feel-good chemicals in your brain, and I've talked about them many times on this show, your daily dose neurochemicals, D-O-S-E, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. So generosity, you've got this feeling before, it feels like your brain is throwing a party and all those happy neurotransmitters are invited. So the more you give, the more that these chemicals flood your system and the happier and more fulfilled you feel. So let's look at each of these. Dopamine is associated with reward and pleasure, and it comes into play when you're being generous. It's very much your brain's own motivation and reinforcement system. So when you engage in acts of generosity, generosity and you experience those positive outcomes and rewards, that's dopamine being released, creating that sense of satisfaction and encouraging you to continue to be generous. Then oxytocin, which is often referred to as your love hormone or your cuddle chemical, and oxytocin is released during social bonding, during trust building, during acts of kindness and generosity. And what it does is it enhances your feelings of empathy and it promotes social connections. So picture this, you decide to donate to a charity, and as you click that donate button, you feel this very warm, fuzzy sensation in your chest. Well, that is not the remnants of last night's pizza. It is the release of oxytocin. And what studies have shown is that acts of generosity trigger the release of oxytocin. So when you're being generous, oxytocin is what is giving you that warm fuzzy feeling, and it's strengthening your bond with others. Think of it like a hug in chemical form. Then there's serotonin. Serotonin is your feel-good neurotransmitter. The higher your serotonin levels, the more positive your emotional state, and then of course this positive emotional state then influences your behaviors and your actions, which include acts of generosity. So one experiment that's been done was actually manipulated serotonin levels using serotonin-enhancing drugs. So this particular study was a double-blind placebo-controlled experiment published in the journal Science. So in this experiment, one group were given given a serotonin-boosting drug, and another group were given a placebo, which didn't change serotonin levels, and neither group knew which one they had received. That's the double-blind part. And what the study found was that those with more serotonin, they had increased levels of generosity. They exhibited increased generosity and a willingness to share compared to those who received the placebo. And finally, endorphins. Endorphins are natural opioid-like substances, and they're produced by your nervous system. So they're known to have an analgesic effect, they reduce pain, and they also promote feelings of well-being. And they're released in many situations in response to a variety of stimuli, things like exercise and laughter and social interaction.. And when it comes to generosity, endorphins play a very significant role in motivating and rewarding generous behaviors. So those acts of giving and helping others and engaging in altruistic actions, they've been found to trigger the release of endorphins, which then leads to positive emotional states. And when you engage in generous behaviors, things like donating money, or volunteering a time, you experience an increase in endorphin levels. This endorphin release then leads to helper's high. Helper's high. You know that feeling, that feeling of euphoria. And one study which was conducted at the University of Oxford, it looked at that relationship between endorphins and generosity. So in this study, the participants were asked to play a game game in which they could choose to share money with others or keep it for themselves. And what the study found was that those who chose to share money, they had increased endorphin levels compared to those who kept the money for themselves, which really means that endorphins, they act as a biological mechanism to reinforce rewards and generous behavior. And also what endorphins do is contribute to the social bonding aspect of generosity. So with generosity, both the giver and the recipient experience an increased sense of connection and bonding, and it's the release of endorphins during these very generous interactions that then strengthen those social bonds and enhance empathy and trust as well. So that's neurochemicals. What about hormones? Let's not forget about hormones because because they've got a much more complex role in generosity. Take testosterone, for example, which you might think of as being more of a dominance and aggression type of hormone, and it might seem like quite an unlikely player in the realm of generosity. But turns out that studies have found that higher levels of testosterone are linked to increased generosity. And there's also cortisol, your stress hormone, hormone. So on one hand, very high levels of cortisol do inhibit generosity because stress, well, it really narrows your focus and leads more to self-preservation. But on the other hand, moderate levels of cortisol promote generosity by enhancing your empathic responses. So if you look at this overall, that neural basis of generosity, it involves a very delicate interplay play between brain regions, between neurotransmitters, between hormones as well. So as I said, there's your ventral striatum and your prefrontal cortex, and they guide your decisions and reward you for acts of generosity. And then you get a dose of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, which provide you that feel-good— all those feel-good sensations that make generosity so fulfilling. And then you testosterone and cortisol into the mix, and they add their own complexities in influencing your proclivity for giving. So then, next time that you feel a surge of warmth and joy in your heart when you engage in an act of generosity, just remember to thank your brain for what's going on up there. So let's just recap then to where we've got to so far, because you now know what generosity is: giving without expectation. You understand that generosity is an innate part of being human, and it's also shaped by your environment, which in turn influences your epigenetics. We've explored generous personality traits, and you also know now why generosity matters from a health, well-being, and longevity perspective. You know the science behind generosity in terms of neurobiochemistry, and you know that you can learn to be more generous. So how do you do that? How do you learn to be more generous? Well, let's just shift gears here then and talk about data and devices. So in this era of advanced technology, you do have access to a wealth of information that can help you become more generous and make a greater impact. So let's think about data. When it comes to data, better, understanding your own giving patterns and your generosity traits really can be a game changer. And as I said, whilst there aren't any specific gene tests or proxy blood markers that can directly measure generosity, there are certain avenues of data that can give you some understanding. So here's 3 key data points. Firstly, personality assessments. Undertake your your own personality assessment. So, when it comes to generosity, the Big Five Inventory is a great tool to provide insight into your individual personality traits. And as I've mentioned earlier, agreeableness, openness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extraversion, those 5 big personality traits are linked to different aspects of generosity. So, assess those, because assessing your personality traits can help you to understand how these traits then influence your charitable, generous inclinations. So what I will do is I'll put a link in the show notes to the Big Five Inventory that I'll put into my blog that goes with this episode so that then you can take that personality assessment directly. Okay, second data point is self-reflection and journaling. So keep a journal and engage in self-reflection because this can help you explore your thoughts and your emotions and your experiences related to generosity. So if you examine your past acts of kindness and motivation and the impact that they've had on you, you can then gain a much more deeper understanding of your own generosity traits and your patterns. So start journaling. As you're writing, focus on generosity. And third point, which is in keeping with that, is behavioral 4. Tracking. So track your giving behaviours, because this will tell you a lot about your generosity. Keep a record. Track your donations, track your volunteer hours, track your acts of kindness, however small they may be, and see the impact that you're making. Because what this will also do is help you to identify your patterns and your preferences, and then those areas where you might want to focus your generosity efforts even more. So then, when it comes to data, capture your generosity data through a personality assessment and through journaling and through behaviour tracking. Be your own generosity detective and uncover those hidden gems in your philanthropic journey. And let's not forget about devices, because there are platforms and apps and websites that provide insights and suggestions for giving opportunities that can be then tailored to your own personal interests. So let me just give you some examples of giving your time, talents, or treasures, what sorts of devices, platforms, apps, websites, et cetera, might be useful for that. So there are firstly crowdfunding platforms. So crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter. What they do is they provide this digital space where you can support other people's causes and projects or even individuals in need. So these platforms let you contribute financially to a huge, huge range of initiatives. So it makes it really easy to engage in charitable giving. Then there are donation apps as well. There's lots of apps which are designed to really streamline that donation process, make it easy, things like Charity Navigator, which helps you find reputable charities. Another one is GiveWell, which evaluates and then recommends effective charities. And these apps, what they do is they give you information about organizations, about their impact, about their transparency on their financial stewardship, so that you can really make much more informed donation decisions. And there's social impact apps. So what social impact apps do is they combine generosity with social connections and gamification as well. So creates a much more fun and engaging giving experience. So something like Share the Meal, well, it's an app that allows you to donate to provide meals to those in need, and it also at the same time tracks the collective impact of users. And what this then does is create this sense of community, which makes giving a much more interactive and rewarding experience as well. What else? Well, there are volunteer matching platforms So websites like VolunteerMatch and idList, they help you to connect with volunteer opportunities that really align with your interests and your skills. It makes it easy for you to find voluntary work, engage in voluntary work, whether that's local community or globally as well. Going on a level, philanthropic advising platforms. So if you're in strategic philanthropy,, or you want to seek guidance on very effective giving, then there's platforms like BrightFunds or Impact Matters that can offer much deeper insights as well. And again, thinking about corporates as well, many companies have got their own giving platforms and giving programmes as well, and sometimes it allows employees to contribute to charitable causes and provide a matching programme where then companies can match their employees' donations as well, which effectively then doubles the impact of generosity. And finally, things like online fundraising events, so platforms like JustGiving, which you have probably heard of, or even Facebook fundraisers, it allows you as an individual to create fundraising campaigns for things like special occasions or personal challenges or in memory of a loved one, and these events then provide a very, very easy way to Rally friends and family and the social networks to contribute to a cause that you care about. So you can see how with just a few taps on your phone or on your keyboard, you can make a difference in someone's life. It is, it's generosity at the speed of light. So finally, to draw us to a close, let me give you 3 hacks on how to be a more generous with your time and with your talents and with your treasures. So, number 1, a hack to be more generous with your time is to create a schedule or set aside specific blocks of time that you dedicate to acts of generosity. So treat these time slots as non-negotiable commitments, just like you would with any other important appointment or task, whether it's volunteering at a local organization or or helping a friend or family member with a project, or simply spending quality time with a loved one. Consciously allocating time for your generosity just helps to ensure that it becomes a regular part of your routine. Number 2 is a hack for being more generous with your talents. So to be more generous with your talents, simply pause and think about, first of all, What are your skills? What is your expertise? Identify those areas where you excel or have specialized knowledge, and then find opportunities to share them with those who can benefit. This might involve teaching a workshop or a class. It might involve mentoring someone in your field. By using your talents to help others, you can make a meaningful impact. And number 3, hack number 3 on how to be more generous with your treasures. Now here I want to share my own personal favorite treasure. It's giving the greatest gift I believe that we all have, which is giving the gift of life. What do I mean giving the gift of life? I mean donating your blood, Donating blood is a very special thing to do, so if you're able to, then go do that. Just 30 minutes of your time can significantly impact and even save up to 3 lives. What an incredible gift that is. What about organ donation? Is that something that you've thought about? Have a conversation with your family. Can you give give after you've gone. So what I'll do is I'll pop some links up for blood and organ donation in the UK in the show notes. So wherever else you are in this world listening, please do also check your local services as well. And if you'd like me to answer any questions or support you with finding any local services or have any specific things that you want to ask, then do please reach out to me. You can message me on the @drakapatteluk, or you can email me lifestylefirst@drakapattel.com. So there we have it, my generous friends. As we conclude this episode exploring the science of generosity and answering the question, how can I be more generous, just remember that, that generosity is a remarkable trait, and it resides within each and and every one of you. Generosity has the power to transform lives, to bring joy, to create a ripple effect of kindness in our world. So go forth and unleash your inner generosity and make this world a brighter and more compassionate place, one act of generosity at a time. I wish you a health captivating day. Thank you for listening to Health Hacktivators. If you have enjoyed this episode, then please support the show by leaving us a 5-star review wherever you get your podcasts and by sharing this episode with a friend. Don't forget to click the link in the show notes right now to find out more details about what was covered in this episode and to connect with Dr. Alka Patel in order to take your strategic self-care to the next level. Please do support today's show partner, Youth and Earth. Youth and Earth have a range of products that I love to use myself to supercharge my metabolism, to support my health, and to slow down cellular aging. Just be sure you click the link in the show notes for exclusive offers which Youth and Earth are so generously giving for listeners of this show. Thank you for listening to Health Hacktivators with me, Dr. Alka Patel, on the Woman's Radio Station. I'd love you to stay connected through the socials. You can find me @DrAlkaButtelUK, and to learn more about the Women's Radio Station, do give them a follow too on their socials @WomensRadioStn.