Years ago I was the Community Director for the March of Dimes. I was the only paid staff; all the real work was done by volunteers.
In an article about the Hugging Saint (Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), affectionately called Amma, a woman was sharing how much volunteering connects her to her community. Amma’s foundation, Embracing the World, is a global network of projects in over 40 countries. We do not have to go out of the country to volunteer, or out of our way to recognize the many benefits of volunteering.
-
Volunteering increases self-confidence. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose. Older adults, especially those who have retired or lost a spouse, can find new meaning and purpose in their lives by helping others. Whatever your age or life situation, volunteering can help take your mind off your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated, and add more zest to your life.
Volunteering combats depression. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. The physical activity involved in certain forms of volunteering—such as environmental projects in parks, nature reserves, or beaches—can be good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease. (See: Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits: Helping Others While Helping Yourself
This week, start thinking about the New Year. Perhaps make volunteering a part of your resolution. Be open to myriad opportunities to get more than we give, volunteering being one way to do that!
Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips
 |
Rev.Debra Basham
Voice or text: (269) 921-2217 Email: debra@scs-matters.com https://scs-matters.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~ Mother Teresa |