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Why volunteer? Be selfish – volunteer because it has fantastic benefits
to you, as well as those you serve. Volunteering is a habit –
studies show if you don’t volunteer now, you won’t do it during later
life, when it has some extra benefits.
As a Psychotherapist, I poke and prod people to do
healthy things for themselves. I often prescribe volunteering.
Why? Why ask a stressed-out Frito Lay executive to add one more
appointment in her Palm Pilot and go paint the local women’s
shelter? Just take a look at some of the benefits of helping:
- It’s
been found to boost self-esteem, increase energy, reduce symptoms of
depression and stress, and create a sense of well-being. Studies find
it may even increase your life span, and contribute to better health
(volunteers actually report fewer health problems than
non-volunteers);
- Volunteers
report a greater sense of mastery over life, a feeling of being
necessary and needed, increased social support, and much higher life
satisfaction because you’re doing something meaningful - often
changing the lives of the people you’re helping;
- Volunteers
report a stronger will to live, less feelings of isolation and
loneliness, and an increased sense of personal value. It also pops you
outside of your own troubles and stresses for a while, allowing
perspective to set in;
- You’re
able to try new skills and activities in a safer environment,
increasing your options for future professions and leisure activities,
while contributing to your overall knowledge base;
- Volunteering
makes you feel part of a team, accepted by peers who are traditionally
caring, motivated, and supportive people, since volunteering draws
those personalities;
- It
allows you to develop connections professionally and personally,
expanding your Rolodex and your social calendar at the same time; and
- You
can quit. This sounds like an odd benefit, but working because you
want to instead of feeling trapped by the need for a paycheck, allows
you to thoroughly enjoy yourself.
Americans volunteer more than citizens in any other
country, giving over 4 hours/week per person on average, but most become
involved only when someone asks them. So I’m asking you to
volunteer. For your own sake. At the very least, you’ll be
in an environment that’s probably desperate for people and
resources. So you’ll be barraged by “thank-you’s”– a word
sometimes too scarce in our everyday lives.
Megan A. Johntz is a
Psychotherapist & Professional Speaker helping corporations and
organizations learn the best tools for building success.
Contact her at Megan@PsychToolBox.com
or www.PsychToolBox.com
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