Make an impact by volunteering and feel better for it
Volunteering is an incredibly generous activity that is enjoyed by lots of women in their 50s, 60s and 70s. And without a doubt, professional women with a mature outlook and a life time of knowledge and skills are in high demand by the social sector. And for those women - there’s great news. In addition to helping others, volunteering benefits the volunteer, including improving health and well-being, increasing happiness, and a giving women a greater sense of purpose. Maybe it’s time to think about how you can give (and gain)!
I had my first volunteering gig when I was a teenager and haven’t looked back since. Over this time, my volunteer roles have included, for example:
Board work for not for profits
Pro bono coaching and mentoring
Advocacy campaign work
Group facilitation, and
Strategic planning support
I have always felt that I benefited as much from the experiences as the people I supported. Now there’s good evidence available to back that up.
First, volunteering is good for your health. Research has shown that volunteering leads to better health. Volunteers have greater functional ability and lower mortality rates, as well as lower rates of depression later in life than those who don’t volunteer. Volunteering can combat depression by creating a solid support system and providing a sense of purpose. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Plus, women over fifty who volunteer are the most likely group to receive physical and mental health benefits from their volunteer activities!
The National Institute on Aging, based in the United States, has reported that participating in social leisure activities and meaningful activities such as volunteering may lower the risk of health problems in women 50+, including dementia. This highlights the importance of volunteer work for older women to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Next, volunteering can make you happier. Researchers at the London School of Economics discovered that the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Part of the reason for this is that volunteering serves to build empathy, strengthen your social bonds and make you smile, and these factors also increase the feeling of love. By volunteering, you not only help others, but also improve your own mental and emotional state.
Third, volunteering makes you feel less time-poor. Studies have found that volunteering time makes people feel less time-poor than wasting time, spending it on themselves, or even having more free time. So, if you volunteer your time, you'll feel like you have more of it!
Finally, and this is the one I notice the most, volunteering stimulates learning and therefore brain development. Love this!!
I hope I have convinced you that volunteering is an extremely beneficial activity that not only helps others, but also provides many benefits to you, the volunteer. Whether it’s improved health and well-being, increased happiness, or a greater sense of purpose, volunteering is a great way to give back to the community while also taking care of yourself. So, if you're looking for a way to make a difference and improve your own life, consider volunteering today!
Not sure where to start? Join the Ignite the Change Maker in You program today to explore your volunteering options and other strategies for having an impact so you can generate the health benefits that come with it!! The program kicks off on March 23rd. Further details are available here.