Change Your Life By Helping Others

By Donna Stark

There are enough reasons in the world already to lose hope in humanity but there are equal, if not more, reasons why you shouldn't. And a lot of those reasons have to do with volunteers. Volunteers are those angels in disguise who put aside their own time and desires and help those around them. Whether they are reading to children, building homes, or feeding the hungry, they are always on the frontlines of life, changing the health, wellness, and overall well-being of those in their community. But that's not all that is changed. Volunteering improves the quality of their life as well! Have you ever considered volunteering in your neighborhood or town? Here are some of the benefits you may receive by doing so.

Connections

Volunteering in your community helps create and nourish connections with others, and that can help fight the symptoms of loneliness and isolation. Volunteering opens opportunities to meet like-minded people and to create positive and long-lasting relationships. It's also a great way to network with people in your career field or industry.

Mental Health

Being generous with your time and talents can help strengthen your confidence and social skills, and help keep your mind active by sharpening your memory, attention to detail, and focus. It has also been shown that volunteering can reduce stress and bring more joy and happiness into your life. So, if life is starting to feel a bit overwhelming, try to find some way to help those around you. It may seem counterintuitive to add more responsibilities to an already busy day, but you'll be surprised by how good you feel after doing so.

Increased Knowledge

If you are starting to feel stagnant in your life, think about volunteering in an area that is completely new to you. The training and work experience you gain will help you learn new skills, sharpen what you already have, and see the world from a different perspective. This increased knowledge won't only benefit you in the moment but may also help you with future job searches. Who knows? You may be able to land the job of your dreams with the new skills and abilities you gained by giving up your time.

Volunteering and You

There are so many ways you can improve your life, but few are as satisfying as helping those around you that are in need. So, start checking around for different opportunities and give everything you've got to the position you end up with. In the beginning, you may think you are just helping others, but by the end of the day, you will realize how much volunteering is helping your life too!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fremont, Calif.