Doing Good for Others is Good for Your Health
Lower stress, higher self-confidence, and enhanced social relationships - sounds like the health benefits of exercise, right? Surprise! Those benefits also come from volunteering. Whether you're working at a food shelter, giving time as a literacy mentor, or helping out after a natural disaster, the many ways of doing good for others is also good for your health.
In general, people volunteer because they believe helping those who are having a harder time in life can actually make a difference. That alone makes those who volunteer feel good about themselves, about others, and about their community. But there's much more to it; research shows that the "happiness effect" of volunteering enhances social, emotional, and physical aspects of health and that these benefits increase as we age.
Social Benefits
Strengthens community ties
Builds in-person social networks to create genuine friendships
Reduces feelings of loneliness
Enhances professional networks and job opportunities
Emotional Benefits
Strengthens emotional stability for those with and without mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD
Improves self-esteem
Contributes to a sense of purpose
Physical Benefits
Lowers stress and tension
Enhances brain function
Reduces risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Promotes being physically active
People who volunteer tend to take better care of themselves; they typically have lower rates of heart disease, depression and anxiety. These health benefits don't just apply to adults. They apply to kids and teens as well. As noted earlier, the benefits continue as we age and become even more pronounced for older adult volunteers.
So, find a cause (or two) that is meaningful for you, involve the whole family in volunteering, and celebrate all that it does for others and for you!
“According to Make A Difference Day Survey (ICM Research 2004), 63% of 25 to 34-year-olds say volunteering helps them feel less stressed and half of people (48%) who have volunteered for more than two years say volunteering makes them less depressed.”