Helping others can help your health!

Helping others isn’t just good for the community and humanity as a whole; partaking in volunteer or charity work has been proven to provide multiple health benefits.  While not always easy to fit into a busy schedule, those who can find the time should be considering volunteer work for its myriad of benefits; socially, mentally and physically.  Essentially, giving is a miracle drug (with no side effects) for health and well-being.

Volunteer and charity work has long been recognised for its social benefits, providing a positive way for people to feel connected to others and their community. It is a great way to meet new people, make new contacts, boost self-confidence and develop new skills. However, it wasn’t until recently that Carnegie Mellon University published some surprising results that suggested volunteering also contributed towards positive physical health, being attributed to lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.  Most interestingly was the conclusion that adults over 50 who volunteered on a regular basis were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers, with volunteers being more active and having lower stress levels.

Helping others brings great fulfilment to your life, providing a meaningful and fun way to explore new interests or expand on your current passions. There is a wide range of organisations throughout Australia seeking help with a variety of tasks, from administrative work, to customer service, to fundraising and almost everything in-between. There really is something for everyone when it comes to choosing volunteer or charity work that is right for you, with organisations like Volunteering Australia and Go Volunteer matching people in work that fits their personal interest and time availability.

Volunteering doesn’t just mean standing on a busy city corner peddling for loose change. If you’re an animal lover, why not volunteer your time to an animal shelter, helping to walk or socialise with dogs and cats that have been put up for adoption? Or if there is a particular charity that is close to your heart, perhaps you could sign up to assist with upcoming fundraising drives or help out at events.  Donating some of your time or skills can be done in an endless number of ways and whether you have one hour a month or several hours per week to spare, your time will be hugely appreciated.

With benefits as vast as these, why not consider volunteering your time to a worthy cause? Just a couple of hours here and there and you too can enjoy helping your community, while improving your social, mental and physical health.

Sources

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/volunteering-may-be-good-for-body-and-mind-201306266428

http://www.helpguide.org/life/volunteer_opportunities_benefits_volunteering.htm

http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/

Thrive – The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Happier Life, Arianna Huffington

Important

This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account.  It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business, nor our Licensee take any responsibility for their action or any service they provide.