Help yourself while helping others
Have you been wondering how to fit exercise, self-care and making a difference into your schedule? With volunteering you don’t have to choose; it lets you do all three!
Research shows that volunteering is beneficial for your physical and mental health for several reasons. First, it reduces stress and leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety. By giving time to a cause, volunteers often find a sense of purpose, especially when making a difference in areas they find meaningful. Volunteering also provides a way to meet new people or strengthen existing relationships by working together toward a common goal.
Volunteers report better physical health than non-volunteers thanks to consistent movement and feel-good hormones like dopamine that reduce stress. That means volunteering can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and general illness. These factors are good at any age but are especially beneficial for older adults.
Seniors can combat depression and other health issues by volunteering. After retirement, seniors are more at risk of isolation, but volunteering provides a way to connect to other people. It also keeps the brain and body active, which can improve memory, boost mood and keep you healthy for longer.
For young people, volunteering builds confidence and develops useful skills that can be applied to careers. Donating time to a cause provides a great way to explore areas of interest and exposes individuals to new opportunities. Creating healthy lifestyles can happen in any phase of life, but establishing those routines as a child or young adult creates habits that can last a lifetime. Volunteering builds a foundation of generosity and drive that benefits the individual and the community for years to come.
No matter your age, volunteering is beneficial for your physical and mental health, making it a great form of self-care that makes a lasting difference for the community. At Ozarks Food Harvest, just one volunteer can provide more than 300 meals for our neighbors in need during a three-hour session. It’s a win-win. To volunteer at Ozarks Food Harvest, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer to sign up and learn more.