Volunteering Is Good For You – International Volunteer Day

Wednesday 5^th December is International Volunteer Day.  The idea is to celebrate and acknowledge the work of your volunteers because most not for profit organisations would not survive without their support.

With our busy schedules and lifestyles the thought of volunteering for a not for profit, charity or community based organisation may not appear to be such a great idea.  It can be tough to encourage people to take on a voluntary role, so in addition to showing that you appreciate your volunteers, why not show others that volunteering has a very positive side to it?

With that in mind I thought it was worth revisiting a Facebook post in October that discussed how volunteering can be good for you.  In the article titled "Confirmed – Volunteering Is Good for You" on the Pro Bono Australia website, it discussed how a US study has confirmed that volunteering"... not only helps others but helps volunteers to lead to a happier and healthier life". 

The article also stated a number of points that related to giving and health benefits that included:

 

·        Giving and even just thinking about giving in a spirit of generosity are linked to health and well-being.

·         People who think too much about themselves and their own desires – or their own troubles – are not very happy.

·         Helping is also a form of self-help when the giver has experienced the same problems as those receiving.

·         Volunteerism has positive impacts on happiness, mood, self-esteem, physical and mental health.

·         Giving can be a lifelong benefit for those who start young.

·         Altruism is associated with a substantial reduction in mortality rates and is linked to longevity.

 

In addition to the above benefits, volunteering allows you to meet new people who you may not otherwise have come into contact with as well as develop new skills that you may not have the opportunity to utilise in your day job.  For example, as a volunteer treasurer you may be the Chair of the Finance Sub Committee, develop financial planning strategies as well as develop a risk management framework and oversee the annual audit and financial reports.  Furthermore, if you are trying to gain experience in a particular organisation that is hard to get into then volunteering can help you decide if that is an organisation you would like to work for.   

As can be seen, volunteering is good for you so try and consider helping out an organisation as your personal gain will be significant as well as the benefits to your health.