At Fairfield County-based VolunteerSquare we know volunteering is great for your community but it's also great for you. Remember last week when we talked about volunteering doing a body good? As important as it is to maintain your physical health, that’s only half of the equation. Volunteering can have just as many mental benefits and can bring you happiness long after you finish with your shift.
1. Volunteering Can Boost Your Happiness
We all want to be happy, right? And why not? Happiness can help eliminate fear and anxiety, help you maintain a more positive outlook, and it can even keep sickness at bay. It’s no coincidence that the Corporation for National and Community Service found in a study that volunteering can make people happier overall. Specifically, this and other studies show that taking the focus off of your own troubles and stress and onto helping others is key to lifting your spirits.
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2. Volunteering Leads To Greater Sense of Satisfaction
The same study also found that volunteering leads to higher satisfaction and a more positive outlook on life, and lower rates of depression. A variety of factors contribute to this trend, including working at an organization where you have a sense of purpose and can see your accomplishments on a daily basis. This sense of purpose and fulfillment often carries over into the workplace as volunteers find more satisfaction in their own workplace.
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3. Volunteering Can Ward Off Depression
In addition to the overall mood boost volunteering can provide, it also can provide a support system and keep you surrounded by a group of friendly, helpful people. Going through tough times is never easy, but you never have to do it alone. Your support system helps guard against depression and other factors associated with depression and stress.
Happiness is something we all measure and define differently and we're not doctors but we are pretty sure volunteering can put everybody on the path to well-being.
Not sure where to start? Check us out. You could volunteer as adriver at Stay at Home in Wilton or help with children’s programs at Pequot Library in Fairfield or a food runner with Community Plates in Norwalk. No matter what you decide, be sure to sign upfor our free e-alerts so we can let you know about volunteer projects here in Connecticut that match your skills and interests.
