It’s no surprise that helping others can make you happy. But did you know that the benefits of volunteering can go past just making you feel good about yourself? Data has shown that volunteering your time can also have significant, positive impacts on your health.
When you donate your time to a good cause, studies have shown that you’ll feel like you have more time. A Wharton professor, Cassie Mogilner, wrote in the Harvard Business Review that “giving your time to others can make you feel more ‘time affluent’ and less time-constrained than wasting your time, spending it on yourself, or even getting a windfall of free time.” So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take time to volunteer to alleviate some stress in your life.
A second benefit of volunteering is that you strengthen your skills and build experience. Whether it’s a skill you already possess or something new you want to learn, volunteering is the perfect way to strengthen your skill set while gaining valuable experience working with nonprofits. This not only looks good on a resume, but it will also make you feel good.
Finally, volunteering helps your physical and emotional health. Studies have shown that people who volunteer have lower rates of depression later in life and feel a stronger social bond.
These benefits touch all areas of your life and can touch countless other lives along the way.