Volunteering, by definition, is an altruistic activity where an individual or group do something for no financial or social gain to benefit the environment or others. Up until this day, there have been numerous volunteering programmes all over the world that supports many kinds of different causes. Along with them, many people have joined and participated in the movement, and actually making a change to their surroundings.
The reason behind why people do volunteer act is that they are just returning the help or the blessing that has been given to them when they are in need. Some say that they are doing volunteer works to help others because they or their loved ones were once in a specific situation wherein they needed help. Reflection as they say.
As noble as it sounds, a lot of people aren’t quite familiar with volunteer acts… For many reasons, this altruistic activity is still quite undervalued to the point of seen as somewhat taxing. The classic stereotype of a volunteer is someone who has lots of time to spare and is looking for something to do. This is true… no doubt about it.
However, volunteerism is more than “spare time” because charities and non-profit organizations are not just a hobby. Volunteers use more than their spare time, they use their hearts to help. As some believed, once you lost your time in this world, you have also lost your life. Therefore, the act of volunteerism is an act in which people share their lives by spending their time to do good cause and give provide benefits to the community. It is sharing part of their lives, which is time that cannot be taken back and renewed.
The Benefit of Volunteering
Volunteering is renowned for skill development and is often intended to promote goodness or to improve human quality of life. For the people who volunteer, they might not acquire money, property or any other things of monetary value… But, one thing they will get is the satisfaction and happiness that this altruistic activity causes them.
Other than the satisfaction and happiness from helping others, volunteering is also known to have numerous benefits. Not only vital for those being helped, but the volunteers as well would get positive benefits from the work. To follow, the benefits of volunteering can make us feel healthier and happier. The following will explain why and how.
- Volunteering connects you to others — It allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
- Volunteering is good for your mind and body — It provides many benefits to both mental and physical health, such as: counteracts the effects of psychological issues (stress, anger, and anxiety), combats depression, increases self-confidence, provides a sense of purpose, and helps you stay physically healthy.
- Volunteering can advance your career — It gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, project planning, task management, and organization.
- Volunteering brings fun and fulfilment to your life — It is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. It provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.
It is proven that helping others increases the level of happiness of each individual. Thus, if you want to be happy… help, offer a hand. You get to have the chance to change someone else’s life. And, at the same time, you changed your own mood and your life’s perspective.
Dare to make a difference, change for the better. Care for yourself and for your loved ones. Share your life to your community, even a few minutes of it, share faith, hope and love to those in need.