Good Reason(s) to Volunteer

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER SEVEN REASONS TO VOLUNTEER

Aristotle said that the essence of life is “to serve others and do good.”

But seriously folks! Research shows volunteering is important for so many reasons. And it doesn't have to take up a huge chunk of your time. As well as the obvious benefits to the cause, community, or organization receiving assistance, there are lots of benefits – physical and mental – for the volunteer.

“When it comes to volunteering being important for mental health, the benefits are clear. It can help counteract the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety.” (1)

 Volunteering Connects You with Others

If you’re isolated, or simply want to widen your social circle, volunteering can be an easy – and often fun – way to meet new people. In fact, one of the best ways to make friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together, and volunteering lets you do just that.

If you’ve recently moved to a new town, volunteering is a way to meet new people, strengthen your ties to the local community and broaden your own social support network. It connects you to people who have common interests, who could become great friends.

2. Volunteering and Physical Health

Volunteering has distinct health benefits that can boost your mental and – perhaps surprisingly – physical health. Indeed, a growing body of evidence suggests that people who give their time to others might benefit from lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.

A 1999 study showed that so-called ‘high volunteers’ (helping at two or more organizations) had a 63% lower all-cause mortality rate than non-volunteers. And more recent research (2013) from Carnegie Mellon University found that adults over 50 who volunteered regularly were less likely to develop hypertension compared to non-volunteers. (2)

Lead study author R.S. Sneed said that carrying out volunteer work can increase physical activity among those who aren’t normally very active, and that it could also reduce stress: “Many people find volunteer work to be helpful with respect to stress reduction, and we know that stress is very strongly linked to health outcomes.”

Volunteers seem to notice these health benefits too: a 2013 study from United Health Group and the Optum Institute of over 3,300 adults revealed that 76% of those in the United States who volunteer said it makes them feel physically healthier. Also, around 25% said that volunteering had been important in helping them manage a chronic health condition.

3. Volunteering Improves Mental Health 

Giving freely of your time and talents can help counteract the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety. The social contact aspect of helping others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps to develop a solid support system, which in turn combats feelings of loneliness and depression. Volunteering has also been shown to improve mood while reducing stress and anxiety. Volunteering boosts mental health simply because carrying out an altruistic act makes you happier; the so-called 'helper's high'. Human beings are hard-wired to give to others, and by measuring so-called brain activity and happiness hormones, researchers know that being helpful delivers great pleasure.(1)

4. Volunteering to Build Self-Confidence and Self-esteem

If you’re naturally shy, working with others on a cause allows you to take your time getting in the thick of things. Go at your own pace and jump in when you feel ready. Doing good for others and the community helps to create a natural sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Volunteering can give you a sense of pride and identity, helping to boost confidence.

5. Volunteering Helps You Forget Your Own Problems

People also volunteer because focusing on others can give us a deeper sense of perspective and help distract us from negative thoughts and rumination. Volunteerism often involves helping those in need and can be useful in showing us that, in fact, our own lives are not as bad as we thought they were. A 2008 study from the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and happiness in a large group of American adults. They found that the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Compared with people who never volunteered, the odds of being ‘very happy’ rose 7% among those who volunteer monthly and 12% for those who volunteer every two-to-four week.

6. Volunteering for Purpose in Life

Because volunteering means choosing to work without reward, people often choose to give their time to issues or organizations they have a special connection to. Perhaps you’ve been living with or have recovered from an illness and want to dedicate some of your spare time to a charity that helps others living with the same condition. Or you love kids or animals and want to provide care or compassion. Volunteering like this helps address a social problem that is meaningful to you and in turn helps to build a sense of purpose, which further boosts your own happiness levels. Purpose gets us up in the morning.

Volunteering at any age helps find or develop purpose, but it’s often particularly helpful for older adults – those that have retired or maybe lost a partner or friends. Whatever your age or life story, volunteering can be an important process to help give your life new meaning and direction.

7. Volunteering may help restore or increase your faith in humanity! And yourself. Try it. You might like it.

References:

• Borgonovi, F. (2008). Doing well by doing good. The relationship between formal volunteering and self-reported health and happiness. Social Science & Medicine,66(11), 2321-2334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.01.011
• Sneed, R. S., & Cohen, S. (2013). A prospective study of volunteerism and hypertension risk in older adults. Psychology and Aging, 28(2), 578–586. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032718

 

Green Valley Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse
Linda Reed / Professional Development Manager