The Surprising Health Benefits of Volunteering and Giving Back

Volunteering and giving back to your community provides immeasurable benefits to the people and causes you support. But did you know that altruism also delivers powerful health benefits to the volunteer? A growing body of research shows that volunteering improves physical and mental wellbeing in surprising ways. Here's how donating your time and talents can enhance your health while making the world a better place.

Volunteering Boosts Happiness and Life Satisfaction

One of the most significant benefits of volunteering is the "helper's high" - the uplifting sense of joy, connectedness and fulfilment that comes from helping others. Studies show that volunteering triggers the release of feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, elevating mood and increasing happiness14. In a study by the London School of Economics, the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Weekly volunteers rated their happiness levels comparable to having an income of £75,000-£100,000 versus £20,0003.

Volunteering also provides a deep sense of meaning and purpose, key factors in overall life satisfaction. Older volunteers especially experience greater increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem24. By sharing your skills to help others, you gain an increased sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

Helping Others Reduces Stress and Improves Mental Health

In addition to boosting positive emotions, volunteering helps protect mental health by lowering stress, anxiety and depression. Face-to-face volunteering fosters social connections that reduce loneliness and isolation, a major risk factor for depression, especially in older adults124.

Focusing on others takes your mind off your own worries and troubles. The social contact, meaningful activities and appreciation from volunteering deliver a stress-reducing effect12. Lower stress in turn decreases the risk of many physical and mental health problems like heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and general illness12.

Interestingly, some of the greatest mental health benefits of volunteering are experienced by young people. Studies found that 18-24 year-olds were most likely to report that volunteering helped them feel less isolated and increased their confidence4.

Volunteering Keeps You Physically Active and Healthy

Many volunteer activities like cleaning up a park, working with kids or animals, or helping with events and sports get you moving more. Staying physically active through volunteering helps improve energy, mobility, strength and overall fitness, especially for older adults13.

The physical health benefits of volunteering are striking. Studies show that volunteers have lower blood pressure and mortality rates, reduced risk of heart disease, and improved self-reported health compared to non-volunteers123. Volunteering in the healthcare setting may even help speed recovery from surgery and reduce symptoms of chronic pain3.

Giving Back Sharpens the Mind and Improves Job Skills

In addition to the physical benefits, volunteering provides powerful mental stimulation. Learning new skills, meeting new people, and engaging in challenging activities all help keep the mind sharp and the memory strong12. Older volunteers show improved cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease1.

Volunteering is also a fantastic way to develop new job skills and experiences that can enhance your career. From teamwork and communication to problem-solving and leadership, volunteering builds the same abilities valued by employers27. Giving back can even help you explore new career paths, gain experience in a new field, and expand your professional network.

Volunteering Brings People Together and Strengthens Communities

At its core, volunteering is about helping others and supporting causes that improve lives. But one of the most profound benefits is the way volunteering brings people together and builds stronger communities. Helping out, even in small ways, connects us more deeply to our neighbours and neighbourhoods.

Volunteering broadens your social circle, introducing you to people of different backgrounds, experiences and ages247. You bond more closely with your community and gain a better understanding of the issues it faces. That stronger sense of belonging and purpose makes us more committed to being a positive force where we live.

How to Maximise the Health Benefits of Volunteering

To gain the greatest health impact from volunteering, research suggests a "dose" of around 100 hours per year, or 2-3 hours per week13. But even smaller amounts of giving back provide benefits. The key is to find volunteer opportunities that match your interests, goals and availability so it's something you'll stick with and enjoy.

Some tips for getting the most out of volunteering:

• Look for activities that combine your skills and passions with making a difference

• Commit to an amount of time that fits your schedule to avoid stress and burnout

• Choose opportunities that provide social connection and a sense of meaning and purpose

• Be open to learning new things and taking on different roles and responsibilities

• Make volunteering a regular part of your life to reap the greatest health rewards

Volunteering lights up our lives with greater joy, purpose and social connection while making our communities better places to live. But perhaps the most beautiful aspect of giving back is that we receive much more than we give - in better health, happiness and hope. So find a cause that inspires you and share your time and talents generously. The benefits will come back to you many times over.

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