Benefits of Volunteering
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Connected to the motives we explicated before we can describe the benefits of volunteering for the persons doing so. Researchers found that voluntary engagement can make „healthier and happier“1.
Below we would like to list and explain the most prevalent benefits volunteers can experience:
Connection to Others
When volunteering people expand their social network, develop social skills and meet new people who share common interests, resources and activities. This effects strenghtens the sense of belonging and reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Mental and Physical Health
As several studies showed volunteering activities counteract the effects of stress. They improve the general mood and reduce negative mental conditions such as depression, anger and anxiety. This could be shown for people supporting other people and also for people working with animals or in environmental projects. Thus, volunteers experience very positive effects on their psychological well-being. Helping stimulates the mind, releases happiness hormones, it increases self-confidence and sense of accomplishment. Moreover, volunteers own more sense of purpose than other people, independent of life situation and age. Especially older people who are retired or live alone can give their lives new meanings and directions through voluntary engagement.
But not only mental benefits can be caused by voluntary work. Studies showed that the health condition is also improved in physical aspects: Volunteers walk and move more than comparable groups, they show lower blood pressure values, chronical pain can be reduced and the risk of heart diseases decreases. Diabetes and digestive disorders can be improved.
Career Opportunities
Volunteering can open new career doors. The activities let people get experience in areas of interest, and they can practice important skills, e.g. team work, problem solving, project planning and organisation. This can lead to new job opportunities.
Fun and Fulfilment
Volunteering can be a helpful compensation for daily routines. The creativity and energy volunteers practice can carry over to their personal and professional life. It is particularly useful to volunteer in a field that is different to their usual routine: A person with a monotonous desk job can find fun and fulfilment in planting a community garden, in walking dogs for an animal shelter or in helping out in a children’s camp.
Before starting a volunteer activity, you should identify your interests and goals.
Not any task or target group is appropriate for anybody. So, ask yourself what you enjoy to do and with whom. And ask a lot of questions in order to know exactly what is expected from you. If your first experience in volunteering is not positive you can always make changes. There is no obligation to stick to a role you dislike. You will find another task or area in which you can enjoy what you do.