In 2011, almost 64.3 million Americans gave over 7.9 billion hours of service, an increase of 1.5 million over 2010. It is the highest level of volunteering in five years. Volunteers are vital to the community as they help meet various needs and improve the physical and mental health of individuals who give their time.
Being involved in the community is very important as it allows you to connect with the people in your local area. Besides helping those in need, volunteering provides a valuable opportunity for individuals to impact the environment positively.
In addition to being beneficial to you personally, volunteering also provides various benefits to the community. Some of these include improving local residents’ physical and mental health, helping those in need, and contributing to the environment.
Make New Connections
Being part of a team is very important to you as it allows you to connect with people who are different from you. This will enable you to form strong bonds with individuals who are genuinely interested in you. In addition to helping people, volunteering also provides you with the opportunity to make new social interactions.
Community involvement is also significant as it allows you to connect with people who share your values. In addition to sharing your concerns about children and the environment, volunteering enables you to step outside your comfort zone. This allows you to connect with people who are genuinely interested in improving the well-being of others.
Improves Physical and Mental Health
Community involvement is critical as it allows you to develop a sense of belonging and identity. Doing good for others will give you a sense of accomplishment and help boost your self-esteem.
According to researchers, being able to help others is very important to us as it allows us to feel good. This is because our brain activity and hormones are constantly activated when giving to others. Being involved in the community can also help keep us mentally stimulated.
Being involved in the community can also help keep us physically healthy. Studies have shown that volunteering can lower mortality rates and improve physical health. Volunteers are additionally more likely to walk more and are less prone to experiencing high blood pressure.
Expands Your Social Awareness
Being involved in the community can also help keep us physically healthy. It can additionally help keep us mentally stimulated. Through volunteering, you will have the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds. This experience can help you develop a deeper understanding of others.
Learning about different cultures and ways of life will allow you to expand your worldview and improve your social flexibility. It will also help you develop critical social skills such as teamwork and empathy.
Increases Happiness with a Sense of Purpose
Studies have shown that volunteering can increase satisfaction and give us a sense of accomplishment. Throughout your life, you’ve developed various professional and social skills that can be used to improve your achievements. Using these skills for a wider community can be very fulfilling. It can additionally help you boost your motivation and enrich your life.
According to researchers, the social connections you make while volunteering can help increase your happiness. Feeling that you contribute to the community can also help boost your happiness. It can additionally help you fight various mental issues such as depression and anxiety.