Volunteering our time and talent not only benefits others but also has a profound impact on our well-being. The act of helping others can bring about a positive attitude and a sense of fulfillment, contributing to a better outlook on life. In addition to the emotional and psychological rewards, there are tangible health benefits associated with volunteering, such as a reduced risk of developing chronic pain and major depression.
“Helping others in need by volunteering our time and talent is not only a good thing for someone else; it brings a positive attitude and a better outlook on our own lives.”
While volunteering requires commitment and dedication, the positive impact it has on both the recipients and the volunteers themselves outweighs the challenges. This is particularly relevant in the context of applications for volunteer managers, where understanding the holistic benefits of volunteering can lead to more effective and sustainable volunteer engagement.
The Positive Benefits of Helping Others
Human Connection
So many aspects of modern life are missing the human connection. Sure, we interact with people temporarily every day, but truly connecting with individuals outside our close circle of friends/family can be rare. Helping others can be a great way to spread your horizons. You can meet new people and expand your social circle.
We see a massive outcropping of passionate volunteers helping their neighbours in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. This is the volunteerism that happens every time there’s a major disaster. But it also occurs daily by regular community members trying to make their surroundings a better place. Connecting with others by serving them fills a deep emotional need we all could do well with more of.
Inner Peace of Mind
Helping others through service and volunteering does wonders for our psyche. It offers you a sense of satisfaction and success in helping others in your community. It releases chemicals in our brain, which combat feelings of depression and anxiety.
Inner Peace brings us out of our shells and provides healthy interactions with others. Being socially isolated is never a good thing. We can quickly become isolated through our work and busy schedules. When we help others, we reduce our social isolation by building friendships and networks with other people, both volunteering and receiving the service. This truly brings peace to our souls on a fundamental level.
Personal Progress
I don’t know anyone who spends precious time helping others purely out of want of personal gain. You further yourself significantly by stepping out of your comfort zone and providing your time and energy to help other people.
Consider this: when we assist others, we have the opportunity to work as a team, solve problems, and become more organized. Plus, if the charity we are working for uses something like one of the applications for volunteer managers out there, we learn how to use a new piece of technology. There are also benefits in communication and learning to overcome obstacles while helping other people. These are all unique and marketable skills.
On a further note, many volunteer organizations provide real and tangible training. These are all things your employer or future employer may look highly upon. It is also a potential piece of your resume.
Learning skills through helping others and volunteering can further your chance to help your community by broadening your knowledge so you can help more people in the future. It can be a win-win. You learn new skills and build your resume while helping others and feeling great about yourself.
Fulfillment
Getting stuck in the routine of going to work every day and spending the weekends doing the same old boring stuff can take its toll on our lives. You escape from the mundane day-to-day routine by exploring ways to serve and help other people.
Many opportunities to help other people can even be around hobbies you already have. It allows you to further participate in your hobbies while helping others. Another win-win!
Tips for Finding the Right Service Opportunity
Finding the right volunteer opportunity that aligns with one’s interests and skills can be a rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you in this process:
- Define Your Goals: Consider what you hope to accomplish by volunteering. Whether it’s making a difference in your community, learning new skills, or meeting new people, having clear goals will help you narrow down the type of opportunity that best fits your aspirations.
- Consider Your Interests and Skills: Reflect on your interests, passions, and professional skills. Many nonprofits look for volunteers with specific expertise, such as administrative abilities, event planning, or digital strategy. Matching your skills with the needs of the organization can lead to a more fulfilling experience.
- Research and Network: Utilize platforms like Idealist.org, VolunteerMatch.org, and Handsonnetwork.org to explore a variety of volunteer opportunities. Additionally, tap into your network by seeking recommendations from family, friends, or colleagues who may have insider knowledge of great opportunities.
- Get Involved with an Organization You Care About: Engaging with an organization that resonates with you increases the likelihood of a rewarding experience and long-term commitment.
- Be Patient and Flexible: Finding the perfect volunteer opportunity may take time. Be patient and open to exploring different options before committing.
By following these tips, you can increase the likelihood of finding a volunteer opportunity that not only aligns with your interests and skills but also provides a meaningful and fulfilling experience.
Make it Happen and Enjoy the Benefits of Helping Others.
To get the most out of the benefits of helping others, you need to find service opportunities that will push you out of your comfort zone but will be a good fit. Before diving headfirst into a service opportunity, ask lots of questions. You need to know what’s expected of you and how best to fulfill those expectations. How hard and long will the training program be if there’s training involved?
A big mistake people get into when starting to volunteer their time is overcommitted. You must ask a lot of questions before you start so you don’t get in over your head and commit to something unrealistic, which you really and truly don’t have the time to do.
You have to have a great time doing what you’re doing. Helping others genuinely get back much more than you’ve given by giving yourself to others. As you wholeheartedly help other people, I promise that you will have a better attitude and a better, more fulfilling outlook on life.
Have you experienced any other positive benefits of helping others – feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.