Volunteering can make a real difference in the lives of others as well as help you make friends, learn a new skill, advance your career, and even make you feel happier and healthier. From cleaning up trash in a park to passing out shirts to the community, volunteering gives tremendous help to those in need, great causes, and your community. Volunteering simply helps make the world a better place.
Though, did you know that volunteering also benefits you and your health? Researchers have discovered that volunteering can give you an optimistic attitude, increase both your social interactions and physical activity. All the things needed to make a healthier person in the long run. Also gives you another excuse to be outside and some get some fresh air.
Here are 5 ways volunteering can simply impact your physical and mental life.
Boost Your Mental Health
When you take time out to volunteer, it gives you another source of happiness. For instance, if exercising makes you happy, volunteering for DPRs FITDC3 fitness events will surely, bring you joy. Studies show you can release endorphins during positive social contact, similar to the physical response after a hard workout. Also, If you’re contributing to a cause that’s significant to you and making a change in the DC community, you can’t help but feel happiness.
Become More Active
Numerous volunteer activities require you to move around. For example, helping pick up trash, handing out t-shirts, assisting with our sports programs, etc. While these activities differ in physical effort, all these activities get your heart rate pumping. In fact, a recent study discovered that volunteers showed better physical health than those that haven’t volunteered.
Depression Decrease
Volunteering is a great way to boost your social interaction with others around your community and expand your friendship circle by meeting new people. Studies found that all these things lead to lower risks of depression, anxiety, and the feeling of loneliness. In addition, it exposes you to individuals with shared interests and gives you a sense of community and connectedness.
Stress Reliever
Volunteering and helping others can give you a feeling of purpose and appreciation, relieving stress. Not to mention, socializing enables you to take your mind off worries and escape life’s stressors. If nothing else, understanding the struggles of others that are less fortunate than you could provide some perspective on your own challenges you face.
Lower your blood pressure
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that older adults who volunteer at least 200 hours every year were more than 40 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure. These findings aren’t shocking because improved physical activity and reduced stress contribute to a healthy heart.