Today is International Day of Charity. There are many evidence-based reasons to volunteer, including:- Increased happiness and well-being: Volunteering has been shown to increase happiness and well-being, possibly due to the positive emotions that come from helping others and feeling a sense of purpose.
- Improved physical health: Volunteering can improve physical health by increasing physical activity, reducing stress, and promoting healthy behaviors.
- Enhanced social connections: Volunteering can help build social connections and strengthen relationships with others, which has been shown to have numerous health benefits.
- Professional development: Volunteering can provide opportunities for professional development, such as learning new skills or gaining work experience in a particular field.
- Increased sense of meaning and purpose: Volunteering can provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life, which has been linked to improved mental and physical health outcomes.
- Reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness: Volunteering can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which have been linked to negative health outcomes.
- Improved community and society: Volunteering can contribute to the overall improvement of a community and society, which can lead to positive social and economic outcomes.
Overall, volunteering has numerous benefits for both the individual volunteer and society as a whole. No matter what your wellness goals are, volunteering is a great way to enhance your wellbeing and the intrinsic value of helping someone in need is unparalleled! How do you volunteer in your community?
