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’s 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’s also benefitting his patients’ health and well-being.
Dr. Bibhu Mohanty, an associate professor in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine division of cardiovascular sciences, 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.
“We 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,” Mohanty said.
Whether it’s 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’s 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.
“They feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to celebrate, but I always encourage them to engage fully. Whether it’s hosting family, sharing a meal or giving back to the community, these moments of connection can be profoundly therapeutic,” Mohanty said. “When we shift our focus outwards — when we're giving of our time, energy, physical objects, whatever it might be — it alleviates the burden of stress and reinforces our ability to manage our own stress. It’s the best gift you can give yourself.”