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Volunteering Benefits
Everyone
By
Lynn Serper |
 Have
you ever thought of volunteering for your health? Giving
service to others is a two-fold process.
When people reach out to provide help to others, they, in
return, bring about improvements in mental and physical
health for themselves.
In addition, the benefits of healthy adults spill over into
society. It’s been shown that those who volunteer actually
need less medical care while also providing helping hands to
those in need.
Lastly, adults who retire have the opportunity to transition
into a different type of purposeful and meaningful living
while expanding their social network.
It’s common for volunteers to form a community of shared
interest. This community is often referred to as social
capital: a grouping that provides support for individuals in
need as well as for local organizations.
It seems that when social capital exists, not only does the
vibrancy of a community expand, but also people in the
community come together in a healthy and connected way.
Furthermore, for persons who volunteer, these connections
appear to create calm and a sense of purpose while reducing
anxiety and increasing life satisfaction.
Choosing a place to volunteer often depends upon an
individual’s personal interest. It can be an extension of a
previous vocation or avocation. It might also come from a
curiosity and its time has come to be explored.
Cities and towns have many places where an extra pair of
hands would be welcomed. Museums, schools, hospitals,
religious centers, senior centers and others are always
scouting for assistance. In each venue of choice, people can
bring their talent, interest and care.
People with a disability can also give of themselves. In one
program, individuals with dementia are taken to schools
where they read to younger children or help little ones with
their homework.
Another example is a woman, bound to a wheelchair, who met
an immigrant living in her apartment building who wanted to
learn English. She volunteered to help him. Both have
benefited.
Volunteering offers a wide range of opportunities and
benefits to all who assist and collaborate with others.
Retirement can be a time of new purpose, of gaining
knowledge from new challenges and exercising communication
skills.
As each person reaches out to new opportunities, each one
will contribute to society, share skills and do something
meaningful with new and old friends. |
About The Author
Lynn Lazarus Serper, EdD, is president of Brain
Enhancement Services, Inc., and founder of The Serper
Method™, a nationally recognized workbook program for brain
enrichment. She can be reached by email at lynnserper@
serpermethod.com, or by telephone at (800) 240-3778.
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