The site brings people together as and when needed, appreciation is given to all those that contribute, making the do-good factor infectious. Studies indicate that the very act of giving back, boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being. Feeling appreciated make us feel more inclined to do more.
Volunteering your time, talent, knowledge or energy to help others doesn’t just make the world better—it also makes you better. Volunteering your time is profoundly rewarding and pleasurable. However, I also think that the donation of your highest strengths and talents is far more rewarding and pleasurable than traditional volunteering, because it combines the elements of meaning and engagement.
Here are seven benefits of lending a hand to those in need.
1. HELPING OTHERS CAN HELP YOU LIVE A LONGER AND HEALTHIER LIFE.
Want to extend your lifespan? Research has shown that acts of kindness improve health, and improved your ability to manage stress and stave off disease as well as reduced rates of depression and an increased sense of life satisfaction—when giving back is performed on a regular basis.
2. ALTRUISM IS CONTAGIOUS.
When one person performs a good deed, it causes a chain reaction of other altruistic acts. One study found that people are more likely to perform feats of generosity after observing another do the same. This effect can ripple throughout the community, inspiring dozens of individuals to make a difference.
3. HELPING OTHERS MAKES US HAPPY.
Sociologists tracked 2000 people over a five-year period and found that those who described themselves as “very happy” volunteered at least 5.8 hours per month. Researchers also think that giving back might give individuals a mental boost by providing them with a neurochemical sense of reward. We need both contribution and growth to feel happy – to achieve this we need to connect to others.
4. HELPING OTHERS PROMOTES POSITIVE BEHAVIOURS IN TEENS.
According to sociologists, teenagers who volunteer have better grades and self-image. You can also add the GREAT post to your CV, making you stand out in the mire of candidates.
5. HELPING OTHERS GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND SATISFACTION.
Looking for more meaning in your day-to-day existence? Studies show that contributing enhances an individual’s overall sense of purpose and identity—particularly if they no longer hold a life-defining role like “worker” or “parent.”