Ask a handful of volunteers about their motivation for donating their time and energy, and you'll likely get a slew of different answers. Whatever their reasons for volunteering, it's clear that the process of giving back to their community is a rewarding one. Even aside from the satisfaction of making a positive difference in the world, it turns out that volunteering comes with a host of other benefits, some of which are a lot more tangible and long-lasting than you might initially think.

Reasons To Volunteer

We tend to think of volunteering mostly as benefiting the organization or person on whose behalf we're working. But in fact, volunteering benefits the volunteer as much as it does the recipient. Here, we'll discuss just a few of the many reasons why volunteering is important for everyone involved.

1. Volunteering Is Good for Your Body
   Studies have shown that volunteering comes with a host of perks for your physical health, including lower blood pressure and even a potentially longer lifespan. And, because volunteering has been proven to reduce stress, it can also help stave off a host of other diseases that have been associated with stress, such as heart disease and stroke.
2. Volunteering Can Improve Your Mental and Emotional State
   Volunteering can help fight depression and boost your self-confidence—in short, it just makes us happy. What's more, volunteering can also offer people a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which is particularly valuable for individuals who may be older, retired, or who have lost a spouse.
3. Volunteering Boosts Your Social Life
   In the age of digital media, working from home, and ever-present smartphones, it's easier than ever to feel disconnected—whether it's from your community, the people around you, or your own values. Volunteering is a great way to meet new friends and remind yourself of your connection to the people around you.
4. Volunteering Can Benefit Your Professional Life
   When you volunteer to work with an organization, you're not just lending a hand. You're also gaining skills, knowledge, and connections that can be valuable to your career. Volunteering is a great way to try out a new field or bulk up your resume. Plus, you never know who you might meet while volunteering—there's always a chance you'll make some really valuable additions to your network.

If you're looking to make a change that will have positive effects in every area of your life, consider volunteering with Spectrum. Spectrum Community Services is committed to improving the quality of life for low-income families, seniors, and individuals in Alameda County. Through financial assistance and other services, our goal is to support community members in building healthy, safe, and independent lives. Visit our website for more information, or contact us to learn about current volunteer opportunities. We can't wait to work with you!