Volunteering is one of the most fulfilling and important ways we can spend our free time. Devoting ourselves to a worthy philanthropic cause helps the less fortunate and makes us better people in the process. The work might not always be fun, but it’s essential for the well-being of our communities. Here are the top seven reasons you should find time to volunteer.

1. Gives You Purpose

Every person needs to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Living only for yourself often leads to unhappiness because it strains interpersonal relationships and simply isn’t as fulfilling as helping others. Humans are social creatures designed to thrive in groups, not as individuals. Volunteering helps you thrive by giving you a greater sense of purpose.

No free person is required to volunteer, but people do it anyway because they feel that urge to join a greater cause. Working at a local food bank or soup kitchen is a simple way for them to make a positive difference. They put their personal interests on hold for the sake of others. Nothing is more rewarding than that.

2. Makes You a Valuable Community Member

You won’t make your town or neighborhood better by spending all of your free time on yourself. Volunteering gives you a chance to become an indispensable part of your community, and very often you will see local leaders rewarding and appreciating volunteers for their efforts via the staging of special local events and galas. You will accumulate more responsibilities and might branch out to other things, such as local politics or social programs. Every great leader started by devoting themselves to a community-wide cause.

The most respected people in our communities are the ones who make the greatest sacrifices. Parents, military veterans and first responders put the community before their own well-being almost every day. Volunteers might not be as important as those people, but they still fill an essential role in their communities.

3.Boosts Your Confidence

Greater confidence is a natural result of making worthwhile contributions to a higher cause. Volunteering gives you the assurance that you’re spending your time wisely, which boosts your self-esteem. It’s no coincidence that philanthropic people tend to be charismatic and well-liked by their peers.

It also takes you out of your comfort zone in many ways. You’ll encounter new tasks and challenges that force you to make quick decisions. Volunteering finds a new way to humble you almost every day. Humility is a prerequisite for confidence. You have to get knocked down sometimes in order to become stronger and braver.

4.Instills a Strong Work Ethic

There are no easy ways to volunteer. Otherwise, everyone would do it. Volunteer work will test your mental and physical stamina and cause you to second-guess yourself. These feelings are normal for any challenging endeavor. You will sometimes feel like quitting and returning to a life of selfish pursuits. In this way, volunteering instills a strong work ethic.

Work ethic only develops through discipline and consistency. Volunteering requires a heavy dose of both qualities. You need discipline to get yourself off the couch and help other people. You need consistency to make a positive long-term impact on your community. The longer you spend volunteering, the stronger your work ethic will become.

5.Supports Your Overall Health

The hard labor of volunteering also brings many health benefits. It keeps you active and helps you avoid isolation, which reduces depression and improves your mental state. It also keeps you physically fit because it often involves strenuous tasks, such as lifting heavy boxes and working in a fast-paced environment. 

Researchers have found that volunteering lowers high blood pressure among older adults. Stabilized blood pressure reduces the risk of many other health complications, including heart disease, strokes and dementia. The word “literally” gets overused, but volunteer work can literally extend your life expectancy.

6.Improves Your Social Life

Volunteering might limit your free time, but it will improve your social life in the long run. You will meet people from all walks of life and make connections you never would have imagined. 

Additionally, with everyone working towards the same goal, you develop a natural bond with your fellow volunteers. We often see these close bonds develop in team sports. Teammates have the same schedules, enjoy the same victories and endure the same setbacks. The organic connections they make with each other last a lifetime. Volunteering has the same effect.

7. Generates Job Opportunities

Volunteering helps you gain extremely valuable real-world experience. You will become a much better team player and learn soft skills such as problem solving and public speaking. You might also meet people who share your professional interests and start networking. New job opportunities often emerge from unexpected places.

A candidate with volunteer experience also looks much more appealing to employers than a candidate with no volunteer experience. It shows that you’re humble, hard-working and community-oriented. These qualities are essential for success in almost every career path.

Become Your Best Self

Anyone can isolate themselves in their homes and hide from the issues facing their communities. It takes a special kind of person to sacrifice their free time and devote themselves to others. We all have that special person inside us waiting for the chance to be unleashed. Start volunteering today to become your best self and make the world a better place.