How Volunteering Improves Mental Health – Get a Mood Boost from Giving

Becoming a volunteer for a cause you care about is one of the most fulfilling activities anyone can engage in. It lets you connect with people and communities in ways that you may not have been able to before. It promotes a sense of achievement and accomplishment that runs deeper than simple tasks or job-related activities could.

Scientific research has even shown that volunteering improves mental health by measurable factors for a variety of reasons. If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer or dedicating some of your time and energy to a cause, read on to learn how it can help you boost your mood.

Volunteering Can Reduce Stress

Did you know that showing kindness and empathy can actually make you feel better? Doing good or giving of yourself can trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in your brain. These help combat stress hormones that can contribute to various health problems over time. So many things are stressors in the busy lifestyles today, but taking some time to do something good for others can help alleviate the outcome.

Volunteering Provides a Sense of Purpose

What are you passionate about? If you are like most people, the day-to-day grind of work, laundry, lunchtime, and life does not offer huge amounts of personal fulfillment. Volunteering can provide that sense of purpose that is otherwise lacking. When you selflessly dedicate some of your time and energy to a cause you care about, you get more than a quick burst of happiness. Over time, your efforts translate into a meaningful life path that can lead you from strength to strength.

Volunteering Creates Emotional Reward Feedback

You do good, you feel good. Someone expresses appreciation for your efforts, and you feel even better. Accomplishing goals gives you positive emotional feedback. It boosts mood and encourages you to do that good thing again and again. The volunteering / mental health connection is a continuous feedback loop. Yes, burnout is always a possibility, especially when dealing with very stressful situations like animal abuse or homelessness. Focus on the positive outcomes and remind yourself that you can only do so much.

Volunteering Boosts Your Social Life and Connections

Volunteering provides opportunities for social interaction with like-minded people who share similar values. Socializing is crucial for maintaining good mental health as it helps combat loneliness and isolation which are associated with depression and anxiety. Volunteering also encourages individuals to step out of their comfort zones, try new experiences, and learn new skills which help boost confidence levels. Your efforts on behalf of someone else can have a ripple effect throughout your whole life.

It is important to understand that volunteering is not all sunshine and roses. It can involve hard work and even emotional difficulties or distress at times. No one wants to see a hungry child, a suffering senior nearing the end of their life, a neglected animal, or an ecosystem destroyed by litter, pollution, and commercialization. Volunteering makes a huge difference, however, and you can reflect on the positive things that your efforts make. Do what you can and feel good about it. Your efforts are worth it.