Here are some ways volunteering can affect you positively:. Being a part of a team with a common goal will help you form bonds with strangers that can be life-changing. Volunteering provides a unique opportunity: it connects people with very specific shared values.
And the values may not be what you think. Building a community in which you are all working together towards common future goals will nurture your sense of belonging and purpose and expand your support system. Volunteering might take you to a new part of your community you have never been to before. This experience can expand your understanding of others who are different from you.
Learning about cultures and ways of life that are different from one of your upbringing will increase your social flexibility and expand your world-view. It will also raise awareness of the issues that other people deal with and will increase important social skills like empathy and teamwork.
What an amazing reason to do something! Volunteering has been shown to give you a sense of accomplishment and to increase feelings of happiness. Using those skills for a wider, communal impact can be even more fulfilling. Volunteering will enrich your life and give you a broader purpose and can give you a boost of motivation.
Volunteering is indeed a known mechanism to help fight all sorts of mental issues like depression, anxiety, stress, and anger. Spending time as a volunteer has been shown to improve your self-esteem!
The more opportunities you take to learn new skills and gain knowledge, the more fully you will develop as a person.
And what safer space to develop those skills than in a context of service? Stepping out of your comfort zone and building new skills is the best way to develop your self-esteem.
Volunteering will increase your sense of pride and thus, your self-confidence! When you challenge yourself through volunteering and receive appreciation from others, it can make you feel better emotionally and mentally.
Volunteering will offer you skills that can be used throughout your career development. If you are wanting to change to a new career, especially a new environmental or social impact job , volunteering in that new field can help you develop the skills and knowledge you will need.
Volunteering highlights your character, passion, and determination! Plus, volunteering can also give you a better understanding of the issues you are working with and discover where there are gaps in the field. This knowledge can prepare you to enter a new field of work or, for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, volunteering may lead to developing your next business idea or inspire you to start a nonprofit yourself!
There are many physical benefits that come from volunteering, and most important is that it can help reduce stress! Spending meaningful time with others can reduce stress and the health effects it has on our bodies.
Reduced stress translates into several physical health benefits. In fact, some studies have even found lower mortality rates in volunteers vs non-volunteers in older adults. Volunteering for organizations or causes that you are interested in may provide you with a renewed sense of creativity and motivation that carries over into your personal and professional life.
The work you complete as a volunteer is purposeful and likely helps other people in some way. You can find your purpose through volunteering and becoming part of something greater than yourself. It can also take your mind off of your own worries and keep you mentally stimulated.
It often feels good to contribute to projects and organizations that mean something to you. These good feelings can help lessen the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety in your life.
Volunteering may provide you with the tools you need to be a happy and well-rounded individual. Building bonds and connections with people you volunteer with counteracts social isolation that often causes stress and anxiety. Through volunteer work, you may overcome personal challenges you might have by leaving your comfort zone and doing something new with people you may not know.
You may be faced with various challenges while you volunteer that require you to exercise those critical thinking skills. You may also be faced with situations in which you will learn troubleshooting skills that are also critical to your own personal development.
Many volunteer opportunities involve physical labor that helps you keep active. Volunteering also reduces stress and boosts happiness.
As a result, some of the health effects that stress can have on your body can be counteracted. Volunteering allows you to impact and connect with your community. There are volunteer opportunities that fit a variety of interests. Here are some tips for finding a volunteer opportunity:. Start with the basics. Some of the most common volunteer opportunities are helping at an animal shelter, planting flowers, trees or shrubs at your local garden, beach or park clean-ups, talking or reading to the elderly and political campaigning.
Choose a volunteer opportunity you are passionate about. You will get to explore your interests and have fun doing so.
In fact, research shows that just two to three hours per week, or about hours a year, can confer the most benefits—to both you and your chosen cause.
The important thing is to volunteer only the amount of time that feels comfortable to you. Volunteering should feel like a fun and rewarding hobby, not another chore on your to-do list.
People with disabilities or chronic health conditions can still benefit greatly from volunteering. In fact, research has shown that adults with disabilities or health conditions ranging from hearing and vision loss to heart disease, diabetes or digestive disorders all show improvement after volunteering.
Whether due to a disability, a lack of transportation, or time constraints, many people choose to volunteer their time via phone or computer. There are many projects where you can help. Writing and graphic design lends itself to working at home, and in today's digital age many organizations might also need help with email and websites.
I have learned so much and met so many incredible people….. I would encourage anyone with a few hours to spare and a desire to explore new worlds to consider volunteering. There are so many ways to lend a hand to someone less fortunate, and the rewards are incredible.
You will meet new people. Companies that offer employee volunteer programs may attract more committed employees, as well. Volunteering Adds Fun to Your Years. Volunteering and freely giving your time, energy, and resources to people and causes around the world can create change on a global scale. However, the best part, and often overlooked is that volunteering is just plain fun. If you are ready to make friends, improve your mental and physical health, and maybe develop new skills along the way, start volunteering.
You can change your life and the lives of others when you do. Embrace them! Bureau of Justice Statistics, U. Department of Justice. Accessed Jan. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.
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