Cure for the Winter Blues? Volunteer!

Did you know that the weeks following Christmas and New Years are often considered the most depressing time of the new year? Everyone trudges back to school and work, family reunions end, decorations are taken down, lights are put away, and the holiday music abruptly stops. This year, the weather isn’t helping either!

Fortunately, there’s an instant cure for post-holiday blues if you know where to look, and we have the cure stockpiled at volunteersquare.com. We’ve spoken about how happy volunteering makes people, but it bears repeating that volunteering is an experience that provides fulfillment, personal satisfaction, and a social environment with awesome colleagues at an agency like Family Centers, Domus or Person to Person.

An interesting study explores the reasons behind why volunteering causes happiness and even leads to better overall physical health. One theory proposed by the study, which we can vouch for, is the high levels of activity associated with volunteering. In any volunteering role, you’re always going to have need of your services! Many agencies rely heavily on volunteers and the sense of being needed is rewarding. 

Additionally, there’s the social side of things. Volunteer environments are often more laid back than corporate work environments and team members usually get along great. Volunteers are often treated like members of the staff and included in office meetings, activities and more.

Psychologically, volunteering after the holidays may also help people appreciate what they have by helping others, and by subsequently spreading their happiness around. Your attitude is contagious, and seeing the positive results of your work can bring a smile to your face no matter how dreary the post-holiday season is.

Whatever the reasons, it’s a new year, full of exciting opportunity but only if you live in the present! Start 2014 off right by visiting volunteersquare.com and finding local volunteer opportunities personalized just for you. Be sure to sign up for our free, custom e-alerts so we can keep you in the loop on the local volunteer projects you care about. You can also get more updates on Facebook and Twitter!