Volunteering not only helps the community, research shows, lending a hand can improve your physical and mental health. April marked National Volunteer Month, recognizing the contributions of volunteers in communities and encouraging more people to step forward.
Research shows volunteering provides physical and mental health benefits, and volunteers report better physical health than those who don’t volunteer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older. Volunteering releases dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter important for learning, motivation, mood and moving your body physically, the Mayo Clinic said.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, teaches valuable skills and increases social interactions. The sense of appreciation volunteers get can lower stress, which can in turn reduce the risk of many physical and mental health problems, such has heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and general illness, the Mayo Clinic said.
For businesses, a robust volunteer program can increase productivity, engagement and retention, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Volunteering is a great way to reconnect with the community as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes.
The past few years have taken a toll on everyone, leaving some with a feeling of isolation and a sense of cabin fever. Volunteering can help break the spell, said Caitlin Back, director of corporate responsibility at Umpqua Bank, which encourages employee volunteerism.
“With so much going on in the world that seems out of our control, giving back to our local communities even in the smallest of ways can be tremendously empowering and make a real difference,” Back said.
Volunteering through a local organization is a way to meet other people while helping the community.
