Volunteering can feel good on the inside, help lower your risk of heart disease, and improve your quality of life, among other health benefits. How you decide to contribute to your community is up to you — many options are available.
If you regularly volunteer, you probably know that giving back to your community can make you feel good and give you a sense of purpose or greater meaning.
But volunteering can also do much more for you, including positively affecting your health — there’s even research that supports this.
Health and wellness touch everyone’s lives differently. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Healthline Media. All quotes are strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
This finding comes from a 2020 study of 12,998 adults over age 50.
Specifically, participants who volunteered for 4 years and at least 100 hours per year had an associated reduced risk of early death compared to those who volunteered for 0 hours.
Depending on what you do to volunteer, it can help keep you active and social and your brain sharp, which may improve your overall health and prolong your life.
According to data from 2004 to 2014 published in a 2018 study, volunteering and performing more informal acts of kindness
These findings were compared to those who didn’t volunteer or help people in their community in other ways.
This goes to show that you don’t have to engage in organized volunteering — a simple and frequent random act of kindness can also go a long way.
A 2-year 2021 study assessed the brain performance of older adults with no signs of cognitive decline.
The older adults were enrolled in a volunteering program at elementary schools designed to increase their physical, cognitive, and social engagement.
Researchers found that adults in the program demonstrated statistically significant
Volunteering may be one way to enhance the quality of life for people in middle age and older adulthood.
A 2018 research review of eight older studies on adults over the age of 50 years found that all studies reported positive quality of life outcomes for participants measured by increases in:
- life satisfaction
- self-esteem
- social support
- slowed functional decline
A 2021 research review found that volunteering roles that specifically gave participants a functional role, such as a mentor, may help improve well-being and quality of life in adults over 80.
These findings may help public health experts work toward a solution for social isolation and finding purpose as people get older.
A study published in 2023 used survey data of 48,000 people collected yearly from 2011 to 2020 to assess the effect of volunteering and donating on pain levels.
Researchers found that those who volunteered or donated reported lower levels of physical pain over the course of the study.
This may be because volunteering can help keep you active and steadier on your feet, especially as you get older.
The study, however, did not find that volunteering for more hours was associated with lower pain levels.
If you already regularly volunteer, go you! If not, here are some recommendations on where to get started:
You can also get involved by contacting local:
- hospitals or nursing homes
- food banks
- churches
- libraries
- animal shelters
- schools
Remember that donating can count, too! You can donate blood to a blood drive, hair to organizations that make wigs for people undergoing chemotherapy, and clothing to thrift stores.
Consider asking a friend or loved one if you’re still looking for ideas. If they’re located in the same community as you, they may be able to help connect you with a local organization.
Try aligning volunteer opportunities with your skills
Do you have a background in teaching, or have you been told that you’re good at explaining things? If so, you might be a good fit for educational volunteer roles.
If you like animals, consider starting with your local animal shelter. If you enjoy working with children, try reaching out to schools in the area. If you surround yourself with books, you might feel at home in a library.
The point is: You don’t have to start from scratch. Lots of volunteer organizations and roles can align with the skills you already have (or want to learn!).
“Fostering animals! Taking in kittens and dogs and giving them a safe space, love, and security until they find their forever homes has been one of the best things our family does together. It’s not always easy, and there have been many tears along the way, but the idea that we can play a small role in changing lives (both animal and human) for the better is both gratifying and exciting.” — Sara McTigue, senior editor
“I’ve done a lot of different volunteer work over the years, and it always fills my cup. Whether it’s preparing meals and wrapping gifts at my local community center or signing up to clean up a park nearby, it feels good to contribute to something. I can’t change the world, but I can take part in small acts of service to uplift or improve my neighborhood.” — Samantha Costa, editor
“I started walking dogs at my local shelter, and it’s been such a rewarding and low-lift way to give back and help animals in need. The dogs are so happy to get out of their kennels and have some human interaction, so it’s impossible not to feel joyful being around them. The volunteer program at the shelter is important for helping the dogs get adopted, and I love being able to contribute to that effort.” — Ginger Wojcik, newsletter editor
“My way of volunteering is more so donating — but it still counts! Every few years, I grow my hair out and cut off at least 8 inches to send to a charity like Locks of Love that makes wigs for those who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. I get a lot of compliments on my hair, so I figure, why not share it! It makes me feel good knowing that even something like hair can be repurposed.” — Sarah Matysiak, editor
“I volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster youth … until their case closes (can be anywhere from a few months to years). Being a consistent adult in a youth’s life and helping to advocate for their best interests has been a really rewarding experience.
“I’ve also volunteered with my dog as a therapy dog team through a local shelter for the past couple of years … We would visit a local hospital, senior communities, and a college campus, and it always lifted my spirits. Spending time with my pup is one of my favorite activities, and it was rewarding to bring a smile to people’s faces on a rough day.” — Chelsea Logan, managing editor
Volunteering can provide a boost of feel-good energy. But beyond that, regularly giving back to your community can have health benefits.
Research has found associations between volunteer work and improved brain functioning, quality of life, and physical pain, as well as lower risks of early death and heart disease.
To get started today, check out some of the organizations mentioned above. You can also start by directly reaching out to local animal shelters, libraries, or food banks.