The Benefits of Volunteering: Why Giving Back Gives So Much in Return

Volunteering is often seen as a selfless act, but what many people don’t realize is that it’s also a powerful way to improve one’s own life. Whether it’s helping at a local shelter, tutoring students, or supporting church or non-profit initiatives, volunteering offers numerous benefits that can positively impact your well-being, career, and social life.

1. Boosts Mental and Physical Health

One of the most immediate and impactful benefits of volunteering is its effect on mental and physical health. Numerous studies have shown that people who volunteer report lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Helping others releases “feel-good” hormones like dopamine and serotonin, leading to a greater sense of happiness and well-being.

Volunteering can also improve physical health, especially among older adults. Those who volunteer are more likely to stay active and engaged, which can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. I personally volunteer as a school and community volleyball coach. I also volunteer at major cycling events throughout the year as a course marshal.

Even tasks that seem low impact, like organizing donations or serving food, keep the body moving and the mind sharp. The social interaction involved in most volunteer activities also staves off loneliness, which is linked to a variety of mental and physical health problems.

2. Develops New Skills

Volunteering often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and learning something new. Whether you’re organizing a charity event, supervising activities at a summer kid’s camp, or helping with meal preparation over the holiday season, you’ll likely encounter situations that help you build valuable skills. These skills can range from leadership and time management to communication and teamwork.

For students and young professionals, volunteering is a great way to gain hands-on experience in fields they are interested in. Many people discover new passions through volunteering, which can lead to personal or professional growth. Even established professionals can benefit by developing new perspectives and learning different approaches to problem-solving.

3. Builds a Sense of Community

Volunteering fosters connections with others, bringing together people from different walks of life who might not have otherwise crossed paths. This sense of community is beneficial not just for society but also for the individual. It creates a support network and can open doors to friendships and relationships based on shared values and experiences.

“Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means.” – Leo Buscaglia

Working on a common goal with others promotes teamwork and empathy. When you volunteer, you become part of something bigger than yourself, which can provide a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. Our Life Groups would often take on community projects outside of regular gatherings and the those who do so discover a stronger sense of camaraderie and intimacy between group members as they get the chance to see the immediate, tangible impact of their work. These experiences build a sense of belonging and purpose.

4. Provides Perspective and Gratitude

Finally, volunteering offers a new perspective on life. It helps you step outside of your own day-to-day concerns and recognize the challenges others face. Whether you’re working with the homeless, mentoring underprivileged youth, or delivering food hampers to single parents, volunteering cultivates empathy and gratitude. It reminds you of the positive impact you can have on others and encourages a more compassionate view of the world.

“It is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows– how, he himself does not know.” (Mark 4:27)

Those who volunteer grow more deeply without the expectation of constantly being re-seeded by any profit motivation and start to focus outside of their own selves. I have personally met many professionals that have felt dissatisfied with all the self-help development approach that they can get. However, a “miraculous” transformation begins to take place when they begin to serve others, often in a very simple and seemingly mundane manner.

“A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty.” – G. Donald Gale

The lack of this outward focus has been one of the deadliest downfalls of our recent societal trend: Individualism and the stubborn, immature and selfish stance of “me.”

In many ways, WHAT volunteering effort we get behind almost doesn’t matter. It is THAT we get behind something other than ourselves and our own agendas, which makes the difference. By giving your time and energy to go the “second mile”, you’ll find that volunteering gives back to you in ways you may never have expected.

Note: Please consider attending the Connect Course to explore volunteering opportunities at Coastal Church.