Did you know that when you give, you also receive? What does that mean? It means that when you take the time to give something, your time or your service, you also receive something in return. Giving back to your community will not only make you a different person, but there are many health benefits that coincide from community service.
Reduced Depression
Volunteering is a mood booster. It improves your sense of worth while aiding in a bigger purpose. For a little while, you’ll be more focused on the community service than you will yourself and your worries. You can reduce depression through volunteering. It will provide you with new perspective, and raise your self esteem. By giving your time to a better cause, you may see things in a different light.
Emotional Strength
Sometimes community service can open your eyes to things you didn’t know existed. Living conditions, people with no friends or family, families that can’t afford food, and playgrounds full of waste are just a few examples of what people who volunteer encounter. Experiencing the unfortunate conditions that some communities are in will tug on your heartstrings, and you’ll be a stronger person for it.
Physical Health
To volunteer, you might have to engage in physical activity. Community service such as building a deck, repairing a house, picking up trash or even helping someone move are all ways you can be more active through volunteering. This kind of physical activity will get you in better shape while giving back to your community at the same time.
Mental Health
Change your state of mind through community service. Your brain will thank you. Volunteering creates pathways to better mental health in a few ways. It gives you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. It also makes you feel good once the job is complete. You’ll increase your social skills and possibly learn how to do something new. All of those factors can give you a happier mental state.
Reduced Stress
If you’re feeling stressed, one thing to make you feel better is volunteering. An easy break from the stress in your life is focusing your energy in making your community better. Distract yourself with issues other than your own.
A Sense of Fulfillment
Think of your heart as a “love tank” that requires gas to run, just like a car. Instead of gas to fill your love tank, it’s community service. When you give to others, help others, or simply spend time with others, you’ll notice a sense of fulfillment. If you’re running on empty, you probably feel sad or down. When you complete acts of community service, your heart will feel less lonely and your chest will feel full. That’s your love tank and that’s how you can keep it running.