Whether your mental health has been affected by stress, anxiety or depression, volunteering can give you the wellness boost you need. Although it may be common sense that helping others makes you feel better about yourself, volunteering actually has the research to back this up. Studies show that, if you volunteer or take part in altruistic behaviour, it gives you a more active lifestyle, a enhanced sense of purpose and wellbeing and more positive emotions than negative ones. In fact, volunteering has even been shown to suppress diseases and activate your body’s immune system, so how do you get started?
Look online to find great volunteering opportunities in your neighbourhood and abroad; Idealist and VolunteerMatch are good websites to get you started. If you fancy something less technical, ask around at various charities or local churches in your community. However, while anyone can sign up for a good cause, it’s no use unless you stick to it. The realities of life can get in the way of even the best of intentions, so you need to consider a few stick-with-it tips:
Bring Your Children
Being a full-time parent can limit your volunteering opportunities, but there are plenty of options if you’re looking for a fun weekend or after-school activity to do together. Not only does it benefit you, but your kids will learn the value and importance of helping others.
Volunteer Virtually
Though the traditional view of volunteering is getting stuck in and using your hands, there’s a lot you can do from home, be it on your computer or over the phone.
Don’t Over-commit
Volunteering feels so good that you can overdo it and sign up to more hours than you can actually do. Underestimate the amount of time you have, and keep things at a minimum until you know your schedule can accommodate more. This will help avoid the guilt you feel from over-committing and pulling out at the last minute.
Do What You Love
You’re never going to keep at it unless you’re really passionate about the cause, so whether it’s looking after animals or helping the homeless, find a charity or organisation that does the things you love.
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