Volunteering is considered an “unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help a non-profit organization or an individual who they are not related to.” Volunteers are very important for community building. It does not only benefit members of the community, but also the volunteers themselves.
Benefits of Volunteering
What are seven benefits the volunteering can bring you?
- Meet New People
Volunteering with others can help you form bonds as you are working towards a common goal. The environment may lead you to create meaningful relationships with those you are working with. Working with a goal-oriented community may also increase your sense of belonging.
- Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Others
Being around different people and circumstances, you may gain a sense of understanding of others that you did not have before – whether it was working with people from a different class or culture. Hence, this expands your flexibility and broadens your world view!
- Gain Sense of Purpose and Become Happier
Volunteering has shown to provide an individual with a sense of accomplishment. In general, volunteering is very fulfilling. All of this makes you feel happier!
- Boost Self-Esteem
The more you gain skills and learn new things, the more you develop as a person. Volunteering may also have you step out of your comfort zone, making you feel more confident in yourself and in your abilities.
- Advance Career
The skills you obtain from volunteering can also help you with your career development! As a volunteer, you are automatically more attractive to employers when they see that you are a person who is driven and passionate.
- Gain Physical Benefits
Volunteering can help reduce stress. Of course, reducing stress, on its own, carries multiple physical benefits. Volunteer work can also help you channel out your frustration!
- Increase Brain Functioning
Challenging yourself and learning new things while you volunteer can help you develop your brain functioning. Moreover, volunteering can help develop your memory as well as your problem-solving skills.