Volunteering is one of the best ways to contribute to your community and contribute to important causes. While the benefits the organization receives from your help are evident, it can sometimes be less obvious how volunteering can help you. Donating your time can be an enriching activity, providing numerous well-documented benefits for those who participate, some of which are described below.

Improving Mental and Physical Health

Volunteering has been repeatedly demonstrated to help improve the mental and physical health of participants. It can help relieve stress and anxiety and lower the rates of depression over time. It can also help you maintain your physical health, providing a productive and consistent way for you to exercise.

Skill Building and Job Opportunities

Volunteering is also a fantastic way to practice skills you already have and gain new ones. Social skills are especially easy to build when cooperating with your fellow volunteers; these soft skills are increasingly in demand with employers, and volunteering is an excellent opportunity to practice them. If you are working in or aspire to work in a field that allows you to volunteer your time, it can also be a way to show your dedication to the organization and help you secure a job in the future.

Providing Purpose

For many people, one of the most important benefits of volunteering is providing them with a sense of purpose. Donating time allows you to be consistently involved with a cause you’re passionate about and build connections within a community of people who feel similarly. It also allows you to practice skills and participate in activities you love while simultaneously providing a benefit to your community. If you feel that you lack a sense of purpose, volunteering with an organization whose cause you are interested in can help keep you motivated and direct your energy.

If you are looking for something constructive and fulfilling to do with your friends and family, or even by yourself, consider finding somewhere to volunteer. Doing so will provide you with a fun and stimulating way to spend your free time that will allow you to engage with your community while still helping you achieve your goals for personal and professional growth.