Volunteering- A gift to self and others
The Mental Health Benefits of Volunteering (and How to Get Involved)
In a world that often feels overwhelming, one of the most powerful ways to boost your mental well-being is also one of the simplest: volunteering.
Giving your time and energy to help others can create meaningful connections, foster purpose, and even improve your overall mood.
Why it helps our Mental Health
1. It Fosters Connection
Loneliness is a growing concern for many people, but volunteering provides an opportunity to connect with others in a meaningful way. Whether you're serving meals, tutoring kids, or walking dogs at a shelter, you're building relationships and feeling part of something bigger. Structure and a commitment to be somewhere at a set time can help reduce isolation.
2. It Builds Purpose and Self-Esteem
Doing something that benefits others can give you a sense of purpose and pride. It reinforces your value and reminds you that you can make a difference—something that's especially important when you're feeling stuck, anxious, or down.
3. It Reduces Stress and Boosts Mood
Studies show that helping others can lower stress levels, reduce symptoms of depression, and release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. Basically, it’s a natural mood booster.
4. It Distracts in a Healthy Way
Volunteering helps shift your focus from inward rumination to outward action. Engaging in a task for others can break cycles of anxious or negative thinking and create more balanced perspective.
Where to start
1. Start Local
Visit your local library, community center, or food bank and ask about needs.
Check bulletin boards at coffee shops or schools for opportunities.
2. Use Online Platforms
These sites let you filter by interest, location, and availability. Do you really love animals but can’t house a pet? Local rescues probably have a shift you could cover or adoption interviews to complete. Are you not into the idea of volunteering with people? Paperwork, organization and data entry are all valued skills with minimal interaction.
3. Ask Around
Friends, co-workers, or even your therapist might know of places looking for help. Word of mouth often opens doors to smaller, lesser-known opportunities.
4. Try Micro-Volunteering
Short on time? Micro-volunteering lets you contribute in small ways, like writing cards to hospital patients, transcribing for non-profits, or mentoring someone online.
