Volunteering: Good for You and Good for Others

by Paulette Avery, RN, MSN, IBCLC

If you have ever experienced what is referred to as “helper’s high,” you know that helping others can make you feel very good. Now there is research to support the fact that volunteering to provide help and support to others not only makes you feel good emotionally, it also provides benefits to your physical and mental health. The information in this column comes primarily from a 2007 report by the Corporation for National & Community Service, the group that provides volunteer opportunities through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America.

Research over the past 20 years indicates that volunteers enjoy lower mortality rates, lower rates of depression, and greater functional abilities later in life when compared to nonvolunteers. Interestingly, the benefits to health are greater for the volunteers than for those receiving the support. So when it comes to volunteering, it truly is better to give than to receive. The studies also show that the benefits are greater in those who volunteer 100 hours or more per year and in older adults as compared to volunteers in midlife.

The reasons behind the health benefits for volunteers seem to be connected to higher levels of a personal sense of accomplishment and a sense of purpose. It follows that older retired adults are more likely to benefit because their volunteer activities provide social interaction and new roles to replace ones they had while employed or raising a family. Volunteer activities also provide social interaction, making it less likely for volunteers to suffer from depression related to social isolation.

If you already volunteer, good for you. If you don’t and would like to, consider these tips for choosing your volunteer activity. First, think about what you enjoy doing and what skills you have to offer. Do you enjoy writing, photography, working with animals? Does your educational or career background provide you with special skills that could benefit others? Make a list of several areas of interest. Next, consider where you might like to volunteer. I know friends who love animals and thoroughly enjoy hours volunteering with the Humane Society or similar groups. Churches and schools provide many volunteer opportunities, and of course there is the Metro. We’d love to have you join us to help keep this paper going.

You can also explore volunteer activities through the Internet. Check out www.VolunteerMatch.org as one way to get yourself matched with a volunteer activity that is right for you.

Paulette Avery is a registered nurse and a freelance writer who specializes in health issues.