Here's a little something about me: I'm Madeline, a mummabear to two adorable kiddos, Harlow and Lennox. Living in the beautiful city of Perth, Australia, we've garnered ample heart-tugging experiences, particularly from volunteering. Volunteering, for us, isn't just about lending a hand. It's a lifestyle, a way of sowing seeds of compassion, empathy, and love. A route to harness personal growth, and in the process, unleash a surge of health benefits.
The first thing volunteering does is it transforms you. It changes the very fibers of your being. I've noticed that when I volunteer, it's like an instant therapy session. The noise, the chaos, the crawling worries - they all seem to dissipate into thin air. The peaceful calm that follows is irreplaceable. Isn't that what we're all chasing in different ways, trying to buy peace of mind through vacations, spa visits, shopping sprees? Volunteering gifts you that inner peace sans the hefty price tag.
On one hand, volunteering helps you steer away from your struggles, on the other, it brings you closer to people. There's this unspoken bonding that happens when you're helping someone. You're not just doing a task; you're constructing a bridge, a connection based on empathy and understanding. Suddenly, you're not alone anymore. You're part of a larger community that genuinely appreciates your efforts. And believe me, this sense of belongingness can be a potent antidepressant.
Trust me on this one, my lovely folks! Your heart isn't the only one thriving when you volunteer. Your body celebrates it too, with a platter full of health benefits ready for you to relish. For starters, volunteering has been proven to boost self-confidence, and we all know how crucial that is for mental health. Want to hear a fun fact? According to a study by UnitedHealth Group, 94% of people who volunteered in the last year said that it improved their mood.
It's a domino effect, you see. When your mind is in a jolly mood, your body reacts by administering feel-good hormones like serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. These hormones have an instrumental role in strengthening your immune system, improving digestion, and promoting a sense of well-being. They've even got a fancy name – the 'Happiness Triad'. Now every time you volunteer, remember, you're inviting the 'Happiness Triad' for a visit. A visit that pampers you with natural health benefits.
Shall I let you in on another secret? Volunteering can also be a subtle workout—a cause your body will thank you profusely for. When I used to assist at our local community garden (of course, pre-kids era), my days would pass in such a blur of activity. There was so much to do, from weeding and planting to interaction and coordination. All that exercise certainly ranked up my physical well-being high up in the charts. Volunteering – a sneak workout that disguises itself as altruism.
Speaking of workouts, we know how critical it is to keep our stress levels in check to maintain overall health. Volunteering is an excellent salve for that. It takes your mind off your worries and helps you focus on something positive. Besides, it's amazing how helping others can lighten your own burdens. Annoying worries suddenly don't seem too gigantic. You know there's always help available, just as you're available to help others. That assurance is worth a million therapy sessions.
Here's my favorite part – volunteering can help you age better. I know, the concept of aging gracefully seems elusive in today's fast-paced world, but volunteering provides a ray of hope. Helping others keeps you active both physically and mentally and adds purpose to your life. This constant engagement and purposefulness can delay health issues associated with aging. Also, once you cross the 60-mark, your volunteering wing could be your social circle too.
And, who could forget the benefits volunteering has in store for the little champs? Our biggest challenge as parents is to ensure our kids grow up to be well-rounded individuals. When Harlow and Lennox join me for volunteer work, I see them picking up lessons no book can teach. Kindness, compassion, tolerance are all imbibed in their little hearts naturally. They learn to appreciate what they have, making them mentally stronger and happier.
So there you have it, the incredible health benefits of volunteering, or as I like to call it – the magic of altruism. Thinking of transforming into a volunteer? That's wonderful! Begin today, start with something small. Join a beach cleanup drive, assist in a food drive, or simply bring a smile to an elderly neighbor by running errands. Every act counts. Make volunteering a part of your lifestyle. It's time to open the door to a more peaceful, healthier, and happier life. And yes, make sure to drag along your munchkins. After all, nothing bonds a family better than kindness shared.
Written by Madeline Sterling
View all posts by: Madeline Sterling