The Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering is a powerful force that not only benefits the recipients but also enriches the lives of the volunteers themselves. The act of giving back to the community through volunteer work has been proven to have many benefits on our overall wellbeing. According to a study published by BMJ Open : “A person involved in volunteering will have more resources, a larger social network, more power and more prestige, and this in turn leads to better physical and mental health. It has been found that the positive effect of volunteering on physical and mental health is due to the personal sense of accomplishment that an individual gains from his or her volunteering activities. Volunteering may also provide a sense of purpose, particularly for those people who have lost their earnings, because regular volunteering helps maintain social networks, which are especially important for older people who are often socially isolated.” How giving back can improve our mental wellbeing 1. Better ...