Let’s face it, there are probably a lot of
things in life that we plan on doing, but do not get around to or put off even
though most of those things offer some benefit to our health, our life, or to
others. Volunteering is a perfect example of one of those things. It is difficult to find the time to volunteer
when you have a full schedule of work, family, school, holiday deals and the
season finale of your favorite show. But, if you have ever taken the time to
volunteer, you know that you felt great after you finished. You might have even
felt similar to the way you feel after you have completed a workout. Studies
show that volunteering does, in fact, offer health benefits to participants.
Research shows that volunteering during
adolescence and early adulthood is not only important to the community, but
also to health, personal growth and identity formation while transitioning into
adulthood. Personal and psychological benefits of volunteering among youth include
learning to belong and interact with peers as well as realizing that there is
much more to life than individual gain. Volunteering also helps youth to form
social networks as well as build social capital that will help connect them to
future educational and occupational opportunities. (Flanagan and Levine)
According to a recent report, the
Corporation for National and Community Service states that older Americans who
volunteer one to two hours a week receive significant health benefits. The
report suggests that by volunteering, individuals raise their life expectancy
rates, are less likely to suffer from depression and recover from major illness
more quickly. Researchers suggest that because volunteer work performed by
elderly individuals is not obligatory, they gain a greater sense of purpose.
Studies also show that volunteering helps to create and strengthen social ties
which can be helpful during the emotional challenges that people often face
later in life. (Wilhelm)
The American Geriatrics Society
reports that adults older than 65 who volunteer have half the mortality rate
than their peers that do not volunteer. The study suggests that individuals who
volunteer have a greater belief in their ability to complete tasks and may be
more likely to make healthy life choices that may prolong their life. Michelle
Eslami, MD, a UCLA Health System geriatrician, proposes that another reason for
a longer lifespan may be the mental stimulation that individuals experience
when they are involved with others. Also, according to research, learning new
activities stimulates the brain in the same manner that physical exercise does
the body and brain. (Volunteering)
A report published in Social Work Research views volunteering
as an empowerment process in which active participants in the community enjoy
the benefit of improved well-being and health. The report suggests that older African
American adults may have more to gain from volunteering because they display greater
health and psychosocial benefits from volunteering. Volunteering provides a
path to reduce the sense of isolation and helplessness, strengthen self-esteem
and personal control, and to mitigate loss of power in various aspects of life.
(Tang, Copeland, and Wexler)
A survey conducted by UnitedHealthcare
and Volunteer Match demonstrates that there are perceived health benefits among volunteers. More than 68 percent of volunteers report that volunteering made
them feel physically healthier while 73 percent feel that volunteering lowered
their stress levels. Volunteers also reported a greater sense of well-being
with 89 percent reporting the benefit of well-being and 92 percent of volunteers
agreeing that the activity gave them a greater sense of purpose in life.
(Rosenthal)
Research supports the idea that
volunteering offers a wide range of health benefits including lower stress
levels, a greater sense of well-being and an avenue for gaining social capital.
Next time you feel that life has become hectic or are feeling down; spare an
hour or two for a local organization. It will help to boost your mood, allow
you to meet and interact with new people, and empower yourself while benefiting your community.
Works
Cited
Ferraro, Kenneth F., and Yunqing Li. "Volunteering In
Middle and Later Life: Is Health A Benefit, Barrier
Or Both?"
Social Forces 85.1 (2006): 497+. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Nov. 2012
Flanagan, Constance, and Peter Levine. "Civic
Engagement and the Transition to Adulthood." The Future
of
Children Spring 2010: 159+. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Nov. 2012.
Rosenthal, Robert. "Rx for Nonprofits: Your Volunteers
and the Health Benefits of Service." Web log
post.
Blogs.volunteermatch.org. N.p., 16 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
Tang, Fengyan, Valire Carr Copeland, and Sandra Wexler.
"Racial Differences in Volunteer Engagement
By Older Adults: An Empowerment Perspective."
Social Work Research 36.2 (2012): 89+.
Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Nov.
2012.
"Volunteering Could Extend Your Life: Research Shows
That Older Adults Who Give of Their Time Tend
To Prolong
Physical and Mental Health." Healthy Years 6.7 (2009): 6. Academic
OneFile. Web. 21
Nov.
2012.
Wilhelm, Ian. "Volunteering Leads to Longer and
Healthier Life, Report Finds." Chronicle of Philanthropy
17 May
2007. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Nov. 2012
