The benefits of volunteering may seem obvious to those on the receiving end, but have you ever thought about how volunteering can be beneficial to the volunteer as well? Research shows volunteering can positively impact one’s mental health and overall life satisfaction, especially for those 60 and above. (Mayo Clinic, 2023; Nichol, Wilson, Rodrigues, and Haighton, 2023). And when I take a look at the research and think about how volunteering improves our mental health it all comes down to one word – connection.
Most volunteering (but not all – we’ll get to that later) involve interacting with other people, animals, and/or nature in some shape or form. Take for example, a beach clean up. You will likely be interacting with others who are also doing the clean-up, and you’ll be in nature, on a beach no less. In other words, this opportunity is ripe for connecting. And if there is one thing researchers and mental health professionals agree upon, it’s the power of positive connection.
Research routinely shows that connections, anything from a five minute genuine conversation with the person bagging your groceries to a two hour deep conversation with a trusted friend, make positive impacts to our physical and mental health. (Mental Health America, 2024; Martino, Pegg, and Frates, 2017) Perhaps, though, you prefer to do something with animals. Fantastic. Connecting with animals also had numerous physical and mental health benefits.
“But Lyndsay”, you say, “I don’t want to do anything with people OR animals OR nature.” To that I would ask, what do you find important, meaningful, or life giving? You can connect with your values by sitting at home and crocheting a blanket for a local organization. You can connect with your values and skills by volunteering your time to set up a website for an organization with a mission you care about. And we also know that connecting to our values and what we find meaningful in life leads to a more fulfilling life with less mental health concerns.
“But Lyndsay,” you say, “Isn’t it selfish to make volunteering all about me and what I will gain?” To that I say, excellent and vital question. Volunteering should always respect and honor the worthiness and value of whoever or whatever is on the receiving end. If it is a direct service volunteering, look for organizations that uphold the dignity of those they help. If it’s a beach clean-up, remember that nature has a value in and of itself. Mutuality, respect, dignity should all be pillars of any type of volunteer work.
There are many great ways to volunteer, but I’ll leave you with a few tips to consider if you are not sure where or how to start.
Tip #1: It’s ok to go small. Volunteering doesn’t have to be something you do 5 times a week. It doesn’t have to be something you do in every season of life. If the organization allows it, it’s ok to join once a quarter, once a year. You know your schedule, values, and time best. Things like beach clean ups are great for this type of volunteering.
Tip #2: If possible, do it with friends! This ups the connection quota. If your friends are busy or it’s a season of life where friends are not as present, go and make some acquaintances. Connect with some new people.
Tip #3: This may seem to go without saying, but do something you care about. It’s hard to connect with your values and feel a since of purpose if you are doing something that you don’t care about.
Tip #4: Do some research before volunteering. Doing a quick google search, looking at their social media pages, asking around for organizations with good reputations, and asking questions to the organization are all important when volunteering. As mentioned above, it’s important to make sure the organization also values and upholds the dignity of all involved in their work.
While there are numerous ways we can, and do, connect with people, animals, nature and our own values, volunteering is a great way to do so and the mutual benefits of connection are plentiful.
To meet with a professional psychologist or counsellor, call The Other Clinic at 8809 0659 or email us hello@theotherclinic.sg.
References:
Martino, J., Pegg, J., & Frates, E. P. (2015). The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 11(6), 466–475. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827615608788
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Helping people, changing lives: 3 health benefits of volunteering. Speaking of Health.
Mental Health America. (2024). Connect with Others.
https://www.mhanational.org/connect-others
Nichol, B., Wilson, R., Rodrigues, A., & Haighton, C. (2023). Exploring the Effects of Volunteering on the Social, Mental, and Physical Health and Well-being of Volunteers: An Umbrella Review. Voluntas : international journal of voluntary and nonprofit organizations, 1–32. Advance online publication.