The Mental Health Benefits of Volunteering

Many people believe that volunteering will increase their stress level, adding extra obligations and consuming their downtime. However, it actually can be one of the most self-serving things an individual does. Volunteering has been linked to improvements in depressive symptoms and feelings of optimism and having a purpose in life. It also helps to combat the effects of anxiety, stress and anger. Research has not found significant differences based on the type of volunteering that is performed. Any form of helping others has mental health benefits.

Volunteering allows you to focus on something and/or someone else for awhile and can provide useful perspectives. Your problems likely will not seem as severe when you are working with people who do not have enough to eat. Helping others creates meaningful social connections and can boost your confidence and allow you to learn new skills. Picking an activity you enjoy will give you a better chance of meeting like-minded people with common interests. While most typically associate volunteering with working in food pantries and soup kitchens or cleaning up parks, nonprofits often need individuals with professional expertise, including accountants, editors and fundraisers.

Rather than being episodic, the best volunteer experiences are ongoing. Things to ask yourself in order to make a good match are: (1) What causes are important to you?; (2) What skills can you bring to the organization?; (3) Would you rather help adults, children or animals?; (4) Do you enjoy working alone or being part of a team?; and (5) Do you prefer being behind the scenes or having a more visible role? Possible places to volunteer include local museums and theaters; libraries and senior centers; wildlife centers and animal shelters or rescue organizations; youth sports leagues; places of worship; and Volunteer Fairfax, which has a variety of programs to match individuals with community needs.

Consider starting small so you do not overcommit yourself. You can build a community garden, assist a political campaign or movement, work with pets or the elderly, serve as a museum docent or help with natural disaster recovery. The possibilities are endless. Volunteering will connect you to others, provide both fun and fulfillment, and allow you to see that your life and actions truly can make a difference.