Doing Good is Great for You

When you volunteer your time and talents to help others, you feel good inside. Did you know that altruism is also good for your mental and physical well-being?

It’s true: doing good things for others and your community increases self-confidence and self-esteem. Seeing the results of your giving provides a sense of accomplishment and makes you feel good about life in general, and your own life in particular.

Volunteering can help keep stress and depression at bay. Activities get you out of the house and away from your problems. Contact with others widens your world. If you wake up feeling gloomy, chances are that once you get busy with people to see and things to do, your day will become much sunnier.

Volunteering keeps you on-the-move. This benefit is especially valuable for older adults, who may be otherwise inactive.

Volunteers Provide Valuable Services
Almost every organization, from a school to a senior center, welcomes volunteers. Here at HNC, volunteers play key roles in every facet of our organization. They support terminally ill patients and families, serve as community liaisons, produce special events, staff our resale shop and provide office support. I often hear them comment that they receive far more than they give. That belief can keep someone buoyant in good times and bad.

So volunteer: it’s good for your body, mind and soul!