Helping others helps you: 8 benefits of volunteering

Different experiences - Volunteer Life

Author: Valeria Paluan

Volunteering is an activity that can make a difference, not only for others but also for yourself. People volunteer for several reasons. Some are willing to connect with the community or to support a cause they believe in and take care of. Many people see that as an opportunity to devote themselves to others or to be involved in something bigger than themselves. Studies about the impact volunteering have on the volunteer recommend another reason to do that: mental and physical health benefits.

New research suggests that volunteering not only helps the causes and people that nonprofits support but also helps the volunteer. Volunteering can make people feel good and have long-lasting health effects.

Here are 8 proven benefits of volunteering. Maybe one of them will convince you to roll up your sleeves and put yourself out in the game.

1. Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose. You may be able to find your purpose through volunteering and taking part in something you can learn from. This is particularly valuable for those who are retired, unemployed, or have lost a loved one: in fact, helping others can help you in keeping your mind busy and finding new meaning in your life.

2. Volunteering builds connections. One of the best ways to build community and connections is by sharing a common goal together. Volunteering is a great occasion to develop new friendships as well as strengthen existing relationships with friends, family, or coworkers. As a volunteer, you will usually interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, which allows you to open your mind and learn other points of view.

3. Volunteering increases your social skills. Volunteering is a great way to interact with people and sharpen your social skills. In fact, while some people are naturally extroverted and outgoing, others are shy and have difficulties meeting new people. But by spending a lot of time working with others, you have the opportunity to practice, even develop, your social skills, since you are “forced” to deal with different people with their own unique characteristics.

4. Volunteering improves self-esteem. Volunteers often feel accomplished when they help others. As a result, when they do something they feel is valuable and relevant to someone, it makes them feel more fulfilled about their life and any future goals.

5. Volunteering reduces stress Volunteering can diminish stress and the risk of diseases. Thanks to the time spent serving others, you feel a sense of appreciation and gratitude, both given and received, which can have the effect of distracting from personal problems and making you feel more relaxed and satisfied.

6. Volunteering teaches you significant skills. Volunteering can be the ideal way to find out what we are really good at and develop new skills as well as build upon ones you already have. Obviously, these skills can then be used for the rest of your life, at work, school, or in any other field.

7. Volunteering gets you out of your comfort zone. Through volunteer work, you may overcome the personal challenges of leaving your comfort zone and doing something new with people you may not know. During the experience, you may also interface with various problems that, in order to be solved, require you to exercise critical thinking and common sense.

8. Volunteering teaches you to say “thank you“. One of the best gifts about volunteering is that it makes you realize how lucky you are compared to other people. It changes your perspective: you will understand what really matters in life, what is worth worrying about and you will live more simply and authentically.

Isn’t that enough?