Giving Is For Growth: 10 Valid Reasons For Volunteering
Being raised by Indian parents who defined themselves as Sikh, the act of helping others without a tangible reward to oneself was indoctrinated in me from a very young age.
Otherwise known as Sewa, derived from Sanskrit, it means ‘selfless service’. It demonstrates the belief in equality and humility in all societies.
Though my parents have now passed, I have tried to continue their legacy as often as possible. For me, it is feeding the homeless on a cold winter night with my elder brother or doing a charity swim.
Recently, I have been spending precious time assisting a terminally ill friend whose days are numbered.
To me, it all revolves around the same concept, irrespective of whether you are religious, agnostic or a total atheist.
The act of volunteering, either self-motivated or through a charity, has been around for decades as far as I can remember. And today, it continues to be an important and significant part of positively impacting modern society.
When I researched the statistics on how often this is performed, I realised I am certainly not alone. According to a survey in the past few years conducted by the Australian Institute of Welfare and Health (AIWH):
“3 in 10 people are volunteers“
Almost one-third (29%) of Australians aged 15 and over participated in unpaid voluntary work through an organisation or group in 2019. Over a 12-month period, volunteers contributed an estimated 596.2 million hours to the community.
Redefining An Attitude Of Gratitude
Volunteering is defined as the act of giving one’s time and resources and learning skills to support others either formally through an organisation or informally, such as a non-family member.
It takes many forms, such as assisting with a community project, fundraising for a worthy cause, or contributing to an environmental effort. Broadly speaking, it is any form of activity where the focus of attention is away from ourselves and we are not thinking, “What about me?”
Countless benefits come with performing volunteer or charity work. Here are the 10 reasons I have personally benefitted from giving up my spare time for others:
- A feeling of satisfaction: Helping those in need can bring a sense of happiness. It provides a sense of purpose and meaning to one’s life. The feeling of satisfaction that comes with helping others is immeasurable.
- Meeting new people: Though many individuals may not be overtly gregarious like myself, I have found volunteering to be a great opportunity to connect with new people. I have even made life-long friends, all working towards a common goal.
- Learning new skills: During volunteer work, I have had the chance to develop non-officed based technical skills. Many roles may offer leadership roles, such as coordinating events or managing teams of other volunteers. It enables you to develop your leadership style and act as a role model that can be used in any professional or personal setting. You may even discover a talent or passion that you thought you never had.
- Personal growth and development: For me, volunteering initially took me out of my comfort zone. But after conquering my initial fears, I built confidence and a sense of self-esteem.
- Enhancing one’s career: Volunteering is a valuable addition to your resumé, demonstrating a commitment to community involvement and social responsibility. It provides individuals with valuable work experience that can be relevant to any other career goals they are pursuing.
- Building a stronger sense of community: Working with others in a community setting is priceless. It fosters a sense of belonging, camaraderie and social connectedness. Remember, you are all part of something that is helping others.
- Improved physical and mental health: Other than keeping you fit, many studies have proven the positive mental health benefits of volunteering. Helping others in any capacity activates reward centres in the brain, releasing hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. Known as the ‘helpers high”, it will reduce stress and anxiety levels and even combat depression.
- Developing even more empathy: By helping others from different backgrounds and experiences, individuals gain a deeper understanding of the challenges others face. They develop compassion, patience and understanding and are more tolerant of others. This can only lead to a more harmonious society.
- A new perspective on life: By volunteering in different organisations, individuals can gain exposure to different cultures, lifestyles, and worldviews. This can broaden their perspectives and help them become more open-minded and accepting of others.
- It’s fun: Last but not least, volunteering is a great way to spend your free time while enjoying yourself. It’s a great excuse for me to get out. After all, who wants to watch trashy TV, depressing news on warfare, or be chained to their desk all day?
The Caveat Of Self-Care
It goes without saying that looking after yourself is of utmost importance physically, emotionally and financially.
As it also takes up part of your day, you must be realistic about how much time you can devote. Like paid work, whatever you do has to be stimulating. Otherwise, it will seem like a laborious chore and you will quickly lose momentum.
Your mindset is also projecting your own needs onto others, which can make you feel empty if you don’t deal with unresolved issues yourself. Although volunteering can be a distraction from ruminating on any of your own internal conflicting matters, don’t be at risk of becoming a ‘wounded healer’.
Having said that, no matter how big or small a contribution to the world, it’s guaranteed to be one of the best decisions you ever make.
How did you feel if you had ever taken the plunge? Perhaps you already volunteer without even realising?
Feel free to leave comments.
Ending on that note, I’m off to my local pool as I’m swimming for charity for children’s mental health this month.
Wish me luck!
And that 75% of all people who end their own life are male? You read more about this taboo subject in my separate blog here.
About the author
Dr Surrinder Singh is a medical doctor, blogger and freelance writer. He is passionate about healthcare, medicine and education and works professionally with B2B and B2C clients.
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