“There’s something gratifying about volunteering”. We frequently hear this from peers who are doing
voluntary work or even from famous people, but what exactly is this satisfying feeling? Read on to find
out.
Volunteering implies donating your time to assist an organization or individual in need without
expecting to be compensated. This can be done through a nonprofit organization, a community group,
or even your educational institution to help you develop your skills and prepare for employment.
Being a volunteer is a very social activity. Numerous advantages for both mental and physical health
may be derived from it. Enhancing mood, exercise, and social enrichment may be accomplished in a
significant part by being with and supporting other people. According to recent studies, volunteers don’t
merely benefit from the areas they work in. Volunteering actually improves the mental health of those
who do it.
Folks who started volunteering grew happier. You can have a sense of belonging to something bigger
than yourself through volunteering. Or having a stronger sense of global connection. When you
volunteer, you don’t feel alone. By volunteering, you can get fresh insight and stop thinking about your
personal struggles. Additionally, it enables you to make a constructive impact on the globe.
How volunteering impacts anxiety
Anxiety and depression may be highly internally focused conditions. Even if that concentration is entirely
negative, it fosters a sense of separation and loneliness from other people. Another typical complaint
among those who suffer from these diseases is that they feel worthless and burdensome to other
people.
It has been demonstrated that volunteering makes people feel more sociable, upbeat, and valuable. This
is thought to be caused in part by the oxytocin release that volunteering causes. When you felt loved
oxytocin, a brain hormone associated with “love and bonding,” is also released. Oxytocin not only helps
you feel better but it has also been found to decrease stress and inflammation, two significant elements
in the development of depression.
Another potent neurotransmitter that influences mood is dopamine, which is affected by volunteering.
Dopamine is our “pleasure and reward” neurotransmitter, and it is released anytime we feel pleasure or
reward. When people volunteer, a healthy dopamine release occurs that then affects other areas of
their lives.
Benefits of Volunteering for Mental Health
• Volunteering Gives You a Happy Mood
You truly do feel wonderful after giving. When you volunteer or engage in an enjoyable activity, your
body releases endorphins, which in medicine refers to as the “brain’s natural pain reliever”. A feeling of
wellbeing is produced by endorphins. It’s also referred to as a “helper’s high”.
• Volunteering Lowers Stress and Loneliness
Your body can overproduce cortisol if you are socially isolated or lack the human touch. In addition to
increasing stress, elevated cortisol levels also increase the possibility of cognitive impairment. You also
weaken your immune system and raise your chances of heart disease and inflammation.
• Volunteering promotes friendships, social interaction, and participation
People become more sociable when they engage in an activity together. You’ll probably be moving
around more and getting more exercise. For a time, you won’t be worrying about your problems, and
you’ll probably meet some new people. Having friends is crucial because they provide emotional
support, boost your self-esteem, and ease stress.
• Provides a Sense of Meaning and Purpose
Volunteering may provide meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in ways distinct from what we do or have
done for work, regardless of our age, whether we are still in our peak income-earning years or in
retirement. Whether it’s with elders, children, animals, or in the aftermath of a natural disaster, being
willing to do what’s required in the moment, no matter how humbling the work, may help put things in
perspective and create compassion for others while broadening our brains and worldview.
• Aids in self-discovery
Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to discover new hobbies or possibly even work with a mentor.
If you spend all day in front of a computer, getting outside and moving about might be an exhilarating
break from your daily grind.
Here are some ways you can volunteer

1. Collection Drive: Volunteer for collecting donations like clothes, newspapers, books, school
   supplies, and household supplies.
2. Be a mentor: Volunteering with underprivileged children allows you to have a long-term
   influence on their life. You can assist them in overcoming obstacles, acquiring new abilities, and
   realizing their full potential. You could even be able to change their future in some
   circumstances.
3. Women’s empowerment: Funds for training, education, and methods of poverty alleviation
   strategies can be raised with the aid of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). You may also
   help by being a part of a network of supporters in providing knowledge, chances for
   involvement, and financial assistance.
4. Volunteer events: Events that significantly rely on volunteers for support and fundraising are
   called volunteer events. An event like a walk for a cause, cleaning programs where volunteers
   aid with preparation and execution as well as fundraising, is a classic example.
   So, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or out of sorts lately, volunteering might help you regain
   control in a difficult situation—a fortunate byproduct of the important job volunteers accomplish.

Author
Dr. Jahnvi Sharma