A 2013 study by the United Health Group has found what Rotarians have known all along—doing good is good for you. Volunteers not only feel better—physically and emotionally—they also manage stress better and feel a stronger connection to the community.
Some of the findings from the study include:
76% of people who volunteered in the last twelve months say that volunteering has made them feel healthier.
94% of people who volunteered in the last twelve months say that volunteering improves their mood.
78% of people who volunteered in the last 12 months say that volunteering lowers their stress levels.
95% say they are helping to make their community a better place.
96% say that volunteering enriches their sense of purpose in life.
Another interesting finding is that about a quarter of the people who have volunteered in the past 12 months say that volunteering has helped them to manage a chronic illness. According to the study, volunteering helps keep them active and takes their mind off of their own problems.
Employer benefits
Employers also benefit when their employees volunteer. The study points out that volunteers develop their work skills while doing volunteer work. This includes:
improving time-management skills,
improving relationships with colleagues,
improving professional skills, and
people and teamwork skills.
Volunteering is a win-win-win situation for the volunteers, the community, and their employers. How cool is that? We know this as Rotarians, but we need to spread the word. In 2016, let’s encourage our friends, neighbors, and colleagues to volunteer. We’ll be doing them and our community a favor.
Leave a Reply