Benefits of Volunteering
Sep 05, 2024
Benefits of Volunteering
In the fast-paced world of the 21st century, time itself is at a premium. If you are a working professional, college student, a parent, or whatever else, there are never enough hours in a day. There's hardly enough time to get extra things done like home improvement projects, self-care (reading or working out for example), cooking healthy meals, etc., let alone volunteering.
Well, science is telling us that volunteering in and of itself supports mental health. When you spend time helping others, it increases your perception of time. This means when you spend time helping others, you feel you have more time available. Volunteering can increase your overall health and life satisfaction, and even lower blood pressure in those with hypertension.
Some people volunteer to help their fellow man, while others donate hours to help support animals in their community and around the world. Interacting with animals specifically can increase feelings of social support, reduce loneliness, and also support a more positive mood. Animals don't often choose their home or owners. Thus, supporting those who had to leave an unsafe home or haven't found their forever home yet, need love and support.
Most volunteer positions are looking for someone a few hours a week to a few days a month to support their mission. Volunteering can include walking, feeding, or bathing animals. It's also possible to volunteer to help clean the animals' enclosures every week. Other tasks may also be available; ask at your local shelter.
Do you want to help pets in need? You can always contact the Humane Society for assistance finding a good place to volunteer. If you just don't have any time, you can consider making a monetary gift to support your local shelter.
