A Proven Way to Increase Your Happiness:  Volunteer

Did you know that volunteering is proven to make you happier? It’s true.  Giving back to others will increase your happiness.  Studies prove that volunteering can increase your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and can even improve your career!

If you have a nagging feeling that you want to help others, read on and get ready to help out.  (If you missed my post on the volunteer work I did in the jail, jump here.)

How does volunteering make you happier?

The International Labour Organization defines volunteering as:  “Unpaid, non-compulsory work; that is, time individuals give without pay to activities performed either through an organization or directly for others outside of their own household”.

Volunteering, giving back, serving, it doesn’t matter what you call it, is work that you’re doing for others outside of your own house.

So why does it make you happier?

Because when you volunteer, you receive valuable emotional and mental benefits!

The 2006/2007 Helping Out survey conducted by the National Center for Social Research and the Institute for Volunteering Research provides evidence for this.  Below are the top 10 benefits given by volunteers:

1. Get satisfaction from seeing the results
2. I really enjoy it
3. It gives me a sense of personal achievement
4. Meet people and make friends
5. It gives me a chance to do things I’m good at
6. It broadens my experience of life
7. It gets me out of myself
8. It gives me more confidence
9. Makes me a less selfish person
10. It makes me feel needed

Here’s another interesting finding:  volunteering feeds your needs no matter your age.

In the same survey younger people (25-34) realized the largest benefits related to personal achievement, broadened life experiences, reduced stress and improved employment prospects.  The more seasoned crowd (65+) emphasized higher gratification related to meeting new friends, getting out of their daily routine and feeling needed.

Volunteering can increase your happiness –More proof

A national survey of well-being and life satisfaction proves again that volunteering can have a positive impact on your life.  This report discusses a metric called the Wellbeing Valuation, which assigns a dollar value to how much someone enjoys volunteering.

So how much is volunteering “worth”?  For someone in the U.S., volunteering is worth $3,200 per year!  This indicates that the average American person volunteers 2 hours per week every week of the year!

The most important reason for volunteering

But why are you hardwired to enjoy volunteering?

Because you have something special to give the world.  Something unique.  Something only you can give at any moment of time.  I’ve seen a volunteer give a word of advice, use a talent, or provide a resource that dramatically changed the life of the recipient.

Maybe that sounds “woowoo” to you, but it’s true that what goes around comes around.  And when you give to the world, you get something back.  And when you give even more, you get even more back.

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Proverbs 11:25 MSG

The research proves it.  If you’re looking for a way to boost your happiness, try volunteering.  Trust me when I say that you’ll get more out of it than what you put in.

Be Wise & Successful…

1. Think about an area that interests you.  Is it healthcare, teaching, childcare, building construction, ecological conservation, animal rights?  For a list of volunteering ideas jump to the end of this post.
2. Think about what you’re good at.  What do people thank you for and what comes naturally to you?  We’ll talk about using your gifts in an upcoming post!
3. Cast your net and start fishing for ideas.  Ask your friends where they volunteer, or check in with a religious institution or community service center.  My church fixes cars for people who can’t afford the repairs; provides pro bono legal services; gives holiday presents to children of incarcerated parents; volunteers at homeless shelters; and assists in neighborhood construction projects.
4. Make a commitment.  Decide that you’re going to volunteer and jump in.  Grab a couple of friends and do it together.  If you can’t find anyone, do it yourself and start with once or twice a year.  If it doesn’t fire you up, try something else.  Life is an adventure, and giving back is part of the trip.