Volunteering is a selfless act of giving – to people who probably cannot return the favour. You practically extend your help without expecting anything in return. Undoubtedly, this is the most soul-satisfying activity you could indulge in, but several other unexpected benefits of volunteering will inspire you to no end. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
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Expand your social boundaries to make new bonds
We all get lonely at a point in life, due to lack of social circle, or for a feeling of boredom in personal relationships. With volunteering, you get to meet new people, work shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers to help people you never knew. It broadens your social horizon, builds new bonds with people, makes friends, and reduces your sense of loneliness.
Get a new sense of purpose
Studying hard to get a degree, working in regular jobs, and living an ordinary life can take the spark out of our lives, making day-to-day living an aimless routine affair. Get a new sense of purpose – of empathising with people in crises and making a difference in their lives with community volunteering like the MATW Project. After all, if you believe that you can change the world, then volunteering is the act that will give you the power to do so.
Boost your self-esteem and mental health
Don’t you feel good when you rescue an injured stray dog and tend to it with medicines and food? This simple act of volunteering makes you feel happy. Your mind is similarly affected when you associate yourself with organised volunteering regularly. And, when you are happy, your stress level goes down, enhancing your mental well-being. To sum up, your self-esteem gets a shot in the arm as your sense of accomplishment swells.
Pick up new skills
All our lives, we remain busy picking up social and professional skills and practice them to advance in our careers or be socially active. Volunteering can teach skills that may not be relevant to your work or personal life. But, these will help you push the boundaries of your comfort zone to learn something that you can apply for the benefit of others. It can give you an unbeatable sense of satisfaction.
Career advancement
Did you know that volunteering experience on your resume makes your candidature stand out from the crowd, be it a college application or for a job? Yes, volunteering can enhance your job prospects and increase your chances of getting selected for admission to that dream college. It will reflect your values and team spirit, besides signifying your social awareness.
Get active and healthy
Stuck to the desk for long hours in a day, is your belly fat getting out of control? Get up and get moving with volunteering activities. It will not only bring you out of the inactivity rut, but also help you age gracefully and put off the chances of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Which of these volunteering benefits inspires you the most to contribute to society?
