Due to the benefits to the body and mind that volunteering provides, such as greater happiness, involving oneself in activities that aid the community also aids the volunteer.
Doing the effort of going the extra step to make time for something bigger than one person, people who volunteer can experience a boost in their own “happiness and psychological well-being,” according to NPR.org.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) feels similarly.
“Research has found a correlation between volunteering and happiness,” NAMI said. “Those who volunteered reported being more satisfied with their lives and rated their overall health as better.”
In one observational study with adults 60 years of age or older, the people who volunteered weekly had “measurable changes in their brain health” after two years.
“They didn’t experience declines in memory and executive function like we saw in our control participants,” social and health psychologist Tara Gruenewald said.
Besides the cognitive benefits of volunteering, since it can “get you active,” there are physical benefits as well.
“Many volunteer opportunities involve lifting, moving, walking and other physical tasks that can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve your overall health,” Habitat for Humanity said. “So, you’re not only making the world a better place, but you’re also helping your body in the process.”
For those who want to volunteer but are worried about the amount of time they have to dedicate, the Philadelphia YMCA said volunteering “doesn’t have to be” time-consuming.
“The beauty of [volunteering] is that you can decide which available time slots suit you without feeling pressured. Considering how busy your schedule probably is, you can commit to a time that’s suitable for you,” the Philadelphia YMCA said.
One of the great things about volunteering is that it opens a variety of doors.
“Whether you’re keen on meeting new people in a safe environment, want to make a difference in others’ lives by engaging in a charitable cause or would like to acquire a new skill, volunteering can fulfill all these aspirations,” the Philadelphia YMCA said.
As for NAMI, volunteering can help people build confidence while boosting mental and physical health.
“The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future,” NAMI said. “The sense of accomplishment from serving others can raise self-esteem and self-confidence.”
In addition, getting involved in the community can help give people a “sense of purpose.”
“Dedicating time to a cause can give you new direction and allow you to find meaning in something unexpected. It can also take your mind off your own troubles while keeping you mentally stimulated,” NAMI said.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, the “key for deriving health benefits from volunteering is to do it for the right reasons.”
“Health Psychology found that participants who volunteered with some regularity lived longer, but only if their intentions were truly altruistic,” Harvard Health Publishing said.
In layman’s terms, people have to go into volunteering wanting to help others, not to “make themselves feel better.”
For those interested in learning how they can volunteer in their communities, finding volunteer opportunities does not have to be difficult.
Walden University recommends a “simple search online, or call one of your local community service organizations and ask them how you can help.”
Some specific ways to get involved include serving senior citizens, mentoring children, helping the homeless, cleaning the community, helping the sick and organizing fundraisers, Walden University said.
Whatever the action may be, the importance of it is that some action is being taken. It does not have to be giant, life-changing alterations; all it takes is a couple of people making an effort to improve the lives around them for the better.
