Volunteering is often helpful for the human being or community in need, but have you ever pondered on how it could be beneficial for the person offering a helping hand? Let’s look at two ways that extending your time and effort could be of value to you, too.
1) You make new friends
When you volunteer at an animal shelter, homeless shelter, church, etc. you are rarely there doing the work alone. You are both meeting other volunteers, as well as those in need. It feels great to help others all while connecting on a deeper level. When you are doing something to help the greater good, there is a sense of community and fellowship that is hard to describe. If you are going through a rough patch and feeling lonely, a good way to put yourself out there is to volunteer and make friends!
Signing up to volunteer for something you have never done before can feel daunting, but it will feel good to get outside of your comfort zone and help those in need. If you make a positive impact on one person, it really all is worth it!
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
~Elizabeth Andrew
If you already have a community and family around you, please still get out and volunteer! It sets a great example to those around you. One thing we can never get back is time, so the fact that you are sacrificing your time to help others, really says a lot about your character. Rallying around a community in need with friends and family can be a very special bonding experience.
2) It is good for your mental health
As mentioned above, you are building community with those around you. It is easy to slip into depression or have anxiety when you feel lonely and isolated, however, if you have a group of people behind you who appreciate your work and have become friends through a process like volunteering, they are not going to let you fall. You are not alone!
In fact, it has been studied that volunteering can make you happy. According to helpguide.org, “Volunteering makes you happy. By measuring hormones and brain activity, researchers have discovered that being helpful to others delivers immense pleasure. Human beings are hard-wired to give to others. The more we give, the happier we feel.”
You are going to feel that sense of accomplishment after volunteering, which can only make you feel the sensation of happiness. That’s not to say that volunteering holds the key to life’s happiness, but finding little joys here and there to brighten your day is a step in the right direction.
Let’s say that you are a senior who has limited mobility and cannot volunteer. Are there still ways that you can step up and help? Absolutely!
After doing some research, there are plenty of opportunities for someone who has limited mobility, but can still lend a helping hand.
The Special Olympics is a wonderful organization that is always looking for volunteers. They offer lots of different ways to contribute such as signing people into the event, being a greeter, or even keeping score at a game.
Please visit their website to learn more about getting involved:
https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved/volunteer
Another amazing organization is Big Brother Big Sister. This would be a good link up for someone looking to work with children and young adults. You could take a child to lunch once a month, go to their school (during after school care) and play board games, or even take them to see a movie.
Please visit their website to learn more: https://www.bbbs.org/