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Booker T. Washington once said, "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others."
It’s a timeless reminder that emphasizes the importance of helping others and suggests that true happiness in life comes from serving others rather than solely focusing on personal goals and achievements.
Volunteer work provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment that cannot be found elsewhere. We gain a greater understanding of the world around us and the challenges that others may face on a daily basis, making us more empathetic and compassionate individuals.
Thus, we can create a better world for everyone and that in itself is a source of true happiness and fulfillment.
What is Volunteering?
Simply put, volunteering is an act of service to your community. Many nonprofit organizations and groups rely on the collective power of volunteers to accomplish day-to-day tasks and achieve long-term goals that positively impact the greater community.
For instance, a local food pantry is able to provide accessible and nutritious food to their community through the donations and help from volunteers who give their time and abilities to aid others.
So whether you’re partaking in a community garbage clean-up day or organizing a 5K run to fundraise for a charity, getting involved in volunteering is one of the best ways to make a difference and be the change you want to see in the world.
Donating your time, energy, and resources can be just as rewarding for you as the people and causes you are advocating for. Take a look at our 4 major benefits of volunteering and reasons why you should start your volunteer journey today:
1. Create Meaningful Relationships and Build Community
What better way to make new friends in your local and broader community than by volunteering?
Working together as a part of a team with a common goal in mind will not only help you form meaningful bonds, but also increase positive social interactions in your life.
Depending on the project or goal you’re working towards, volunteering even connects people with similar shared values, such as sustainable living, healthy eating, or the desire to contribute to the well-being of others. This can be especially helpful if you are new to an area and looking to connect with others who share similar outlooks and beliefs.
Moreover, the unique opportunities that volunteering brings also nurtures your sense of belonging within your community and expands your support system.
Whether it's volunteering at an animal shelter or planting trees in a neighborhood park, volunteering can build stronger, more connected communities and provide individuals with gratifying experiences and friendships.
2. Widen Your Perspective
When you volunteer, you may find yourself working alongside people with diverse cultures, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds that you otherwise would not have the chance to meet.
This exposure to new perspectives on the world around you can help you better understand and appreciate different ways of living, or challenge your initial assumptions and beliefs to broaden your knowledge and worldview.
Many volunteer opportunities also involve tasks such as event planning, fundraising, or community outreach, which can help to build skills in leadership, communication, and project management.
By taking on these tasks, you may gain skills and experience through the fellow volunteers you meet and the new friends you gain in your volunteering community.
In addition to growing your own perspective and social flexibility, you can even help raise awareness for important social and environmental issues that other people in your community aren’t aware of yet.
3. Gain a Sense of Greater Purpose
When you volunteer, you may find yourself working alongside people with diverse cultures, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds that you otherwise would not have the chance to meet.
This exposure to new perspectives on the world around you can help you better understand and appreciate different ways of living, or challenge your initial assumptions and beliefs to broaden your knowledge and worldview.
Many volunteer opportunities also involve tasks such as event planning, fundraising, or community outreach, which can help to build skills in leadership, communication, and project management.
By taking on these tasks, you may gain skills and experience through the fellow volunteers you meet and the new friends you gain in your volunteering community.
In addition to growing your own perspective and social flexibility, you can even help raise awareness for important social and environmental issues that other people in your community aren’t aware of yet.
3. Gain a Sense of Greater Purpose
Did you know that volunteering has been shown to give you a sense of accomplishment and increase feelings of happiness?
Researchers also strongly believe that it’s the meaningful social connections you make while volunteering (which we mentioned above) that help increase your overall well-being and happiness.
When trying out different volunteer opportunities, you also have the chance to explore new fields and topics as well as discover new skills and abilities that interest you. This process of self-discovery can be deeply fulfilling, as it provides an opportunity to challenge yourself to learn and grow in new ways while also making an impact in the world.
Finally, volunteer work can be an effective outlet for the frustrations you feel about certain problems and leave you with a sense of agency and empowerment. For instance, if you’re concerned about environmental issues, you can do something about it by volunteering at a community garden or helping out at a wildlife rehabilitation center.
4. Enjoy the Health Benefits of Volunteering
From better physical health to improved mental health, volunteering can actually be attributed to various health benefits like:
Reduced stress
Lower blood pressure
Decreased risk for depression and anxiety
As you spend meaningful time with others while volunteering, it reduces your overall stress levels and translates into health benefits such as sleeping better, getting sick less often, and even preventing heart disease.
This makes sense because when we give our time and attention to others, we take the attention away from our own problems and concerns. It can also put our stresses into perspective and allow us to feel more joy and gratitude in our day-to-day lives.
Interestingly, volunteering has also been shown to lead to higher brain functioning, like improved long-term and short-term memory and increased problem solving skills.
Getting Started on Your Volunteer Journey
So you’ve been inspired to take action and volunteer in your community – what’s the next step?
One of the many beauties of volunteering is that there are endless ways that you can get involved and make a difference no matter your experience or interests.
Take a look at our quick tips to start finding the right volunteer opportunity for you:
- Determine your interests: Think about the causes and issues that matter most to you. For instance, are you hoping to work with children, animals, or the environment? Identifying your interests can help you find opportunities that are most meaningful to you.
- Research local organizations: Look for organizations in your community that align with your interests. Check out their websites and social media pages to learn more about their mission and volunteer opportunities.
- Reach out to organizations: Once you've identified organizations that interest you, reach out to them to learn more about how you can get involved as a new volunteer.
- Attend orientation and training: Many organizations require volunteers to attend an orientation or training session before getting started. This will provide you with important information about the organization, their mission, and the role you'll be playing as a volunteer.
- Set realistic expectations: Before you start volunteering, it's important to set realistic expectations for your time commitment and the type of work you'll be doing. Be sure to communicate your availability and expectations with the organization.
- Get started with your first volunteer event: Once you've completed orientation and training, you're ready to start volunteering. Don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance if needed and have some fun!
The Power of Giving Back
The reasons why people choose to volunteer are many and differ from person to person, but the power of giving back and volunteering is truly remarkable.
When you find the right volunteer organization to contribute your time and resources to, you’ll enrich the lives of others and feel a greater sense of gratitude and perspective in your personal life.
We are all responsible for the construction of our local and broader community – so let’s make our contribution one that makes the world better.
Here at Arden, we believe that developing a meaningful community rooted in growth and holistic health is essential to sparking positive change. To learn more about our community-focused active adult living, check out our other lifestyle blogs.