There are many benefits to the community when we volunteer our time. Did you know there are also benefits to your mental health?
Angela Thoreson, a licensed independent clinical social worker in Psychiatry & Psychology in Austin, Minnesota, wrote in a Mayo Clinic article that “ Research has shown that volunteering offers significant health benefits, especially for older adults…”
The main benefit of volunteering is noticeable improvements in mental health. Angela Thoreson explains that “Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine… Reduced stress further decreases the risk of some physical and mental health problems, such has heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and general illness.”
As an adult, research shows that volunteering “leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety especially amount people 65 and older.” Additionally, volunteering as an adult “can give you a sense of purpose” writes Trish Lockard in an article for National Alliance on mental Illness (NAMI). “Dedicating time to a cause can give you new direction and allow you to find meaning in something unexpected. It can also take your mind off your own troubles while keeping you mentally stimulated.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities with First tee – Silicon Valley, START HERE!
Published: 10-22-2024