Right now you might be questioning the title of this weeks blog. I totally get it. When I was growing up we never were encouraged to volunteer. High School never required volunteer hours before graduation or to be eligible for certain college scholarships. Welcome to today’s world of a High School student. Believe me, most of theses teenagers roll their eyes when they realize how many volunteer hours they have to complete. My daughter’s school actually incorporates volunteering into the curriculum. I love this because it instills giving back at a very young age. Growing up I remember volunteering for the Special Olympics but I don’t believe I grasped the concept well because I didn’t start volunteering again until my forties.
As an adult I began to volunteer in helping the homeless and people in need. Creating bags of toiletries and putting together food supplies for children in other countries. Trust me I am not tooting my horn. I realized this after my best friend and two sister-in-laws were diagnosed with Breast Cancer, that I am truly not doing enough. I became a committee member for an organization called Not My Daughter-find a cure now. This was a great fit for me because I loved the idea of working to raise money and awareness so that future generations don’t have to worry about Breast Cancer. The biggest appeal for me is that this organization believes it’s important to make the kids their focus. Every year we have teens from all around Broward County and Palm Beach Florida volunteer all throughout the month of October with the culmination of our big event with over 500 men and women in attendance.
This year was so special, it’s our 13th year and we are back in person. The past two years were virtual due to Covid. My heart was overwhelmed and warmed by seeing how many people attended and how this organization truly makes it’s mark on the community and history. My daughter and I are coming off the excitement of a successful event yesterday. My daughter has been involved for five years now and she was given the honor of opening up the event and introducing the founder of NMD. This was the culmination of all of her personal time she has put into NMD throughout the years. Her time was valued over the past five years and she was rewarded with a personal experience that will last a lifetime.
I sat down to write my Blog today and my idea for this weeks Podcast. I had difficulty with a topic, coming off such a fulfilling experience and sense of accomplishment from the NMD event. I drew a blank as to what to focus on this week. So I began to research a little about the impact volunteering has on our Mental Health. Honestly, through my years of experience I know the obvious or not so obvious impacts that Volunteering has on our Mental Health.
1. Increased Self-Esteem
2. Release of Endorphins, Serotonin, Oxytocin: Aid in elevating your mood and giving you a sense of peace and calm
3. Increased Self-confidence
4. Giving one a Sense of Purpose
5. Making new friends
6. Learning about how others live
7. Interpersonal skills
8. Opening you up to new job opportunities or interests.
9. Feeling Challenged
10. Feeling a sense of community
11. Knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life
12. Feeling a sense of Accomplishment
All volunteering experiences can have a positive effect on ones Mental Health. Dr. Suzanne Richards, “found that not only is volunteering associated with increased happiness and lowers depression, but volunteering also reduces the risk of premature death by 22 percent.” I don’t know about you but I really like those odds of improving my Mental Health and prolonging my life expectancy. This is acquired through volunteering because it aids in your problem solving abilities, being a leader, communication and nurturing your brain. Someone who volunteers their time is considered “Altruistic.”
Let’s dive into this topic a little further this week by popping in your earbuds and taking a listen to Wide Open Spaces with Ilise. Let’s get proactive in all the many ways that we can improve our Mental Health by helping others. I love being called “Altruistic” and I will share some more of my personal experiences and how you can relate and feel empowered to volunteer your personal time in the future.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS ALWAYS CREATE POSITIVE ENERGY
GO OUT AND EXPLORE ALL OF THE WIDE OPEN SPACES IN YOUR WORLD
CIAO, ALOHA, MAHALO AND MERCI
Ilise
