Reduce stress! Elevate your mood! Feel more fulfilled! Strengthen your professional network!
It sounds a bit like an infomercial for some “As seen on TV” gadget that never quite lives up to the hype but this is no gadget and this is most certainly not hype. This is hard data that is backed up by a 2013 national survey commissioned by UnitedHealth Group and Optum Institute and conducted by Harris Interactive showing that the simple act of volunteering can do all these things and more.
In a small community such as ours with a plethora of nonprofits serving many varied and important community needs, volunteers are a vital part of the success of these organizations and their work also contributes to the overall health and success of our community, but the benefits don’t stop there. When we volunteer we feel good about ourselves and when we feel good about ourselves we bring that vitality, health and joy to all endeavors; both personal and professional. We feel healthier and so we make healthier choices. We become more engaged and invested in our communities, deepening our bonds with our fellow citizens and appreciating our interconnectedness. We broaden our horizons, meet new people, develop new skills and have new experiences that we may then use to navigate our personal and professional lives. We show up…at home, at play, at work and in our communities and we find ourselves more actively engaged and present in every aspect of our lives.
In short, volunteering allows us all to win from the organization we volunteer for, to the community that organization serves, to the individual volunteer, to the employer of that volunteer. When we give of our time by volunteering we truly do make the world a better place, not only for others, but for ourselves as well.
Don’t just take our word for it, check out the stats below and for the full 2013 Health and Volunteering Study click here to discover the many ways that volunteering can help you, our community and our world!
